Reel based closure system

ABSTRACT

A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and a rotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. The knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate within the housing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The knob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in an opposite direction within the housing and thereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotation control component is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 62/841,535 filed May 1, 2019, entitled “Reel Based Closure System,”the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, forall purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to reel based closure devices forvarious articles, such as braces, medical devices, shoes, clothing,apparel, and the like. Such articles typically include some closuresystem, which allows the article to be placed about a body part andclosed or tightened about the body part. The closure systems aretypically used to maintain or secure the article about the body part.For example, shoes are typically placed over an individual's foot andthe shoelace is tensioned and tied to close and secure the shoe aboutthe foot. Conventional closure systems have been modified in an effortto increase the fit and/or comfort of the article about the body part.For example, shoe lacing configurations and/or patterns have beenmodified in an attempt to increase the fit and/or comfort of wearingshoes. Conventional closure systems have also been modified in an effortto decrease the time in which an article may be closed and secured aboutthe body part. These modifications have resulted in the use of variouspull cords, straps, and tensioning devices that enable the article to bequickly closed and secured to the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein provide reel based closure devices thatmay be used to tension a lace or tension member and thereby tighten anarticle or other item, such as an article of footwear. According to oneaspect, a reel based closure device for tightening an article includes ahousing having an interior region and a spool that is positioned withinthe interior region of the housing. The spool is rotatable in a firstdirection within the interior region of the housing to wind a tensionmember about the spool and is also rotatable in a second directionwithin the interior region of the housing to unwind the tension memberfrom about the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a knobthat is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing. The knobis rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate inthe first direction and thereby wind the tension member about the spooland the knob is rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool torotate in the second direction and thereby unwind the tension memberfrom about the spool. The reel based closure device further includes arotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob andthat is configured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension memberby inhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until asufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the looseningdirection.

According to one aspect, a reel based closure device includes a housinghaving an interior region and a spool that is positioned within theinterior region of the housing. The spool is rotatable in a firstdirection to wind a tension member about the spool and is also rotatablein a second direction to unwind the tension member from about the spool.The reel base closure device also includes a knob that is operablycoupled with the spool so that the knob is rotatable in a tighteningdirection to cause the spool to rotate in the first direction and sothat the knob is rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spoolto rotate in the second direction. The reel based closure device furtherincludes a rotation control component that is operably coupled with theknob to impede rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until asufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob.

According to another embodiment, a method of coupling a reel basedclosure device with an article includes providing a reel based closuredevice and coupling the reel based closure device with the article. Thereel based closure device includes a housing having an interior region,a spool that is positioned within the interior region of the housing, aknob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and arotation control component that is operably coupled with the knob. Theknob is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knobin a tightening direction causes the spool to rotate in a firstdirection and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The knob isalso operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the knob in aloosening direction causes the spool to rotate in a second direction andthereby unwind the tension member from about the spool. The rotationcontrol component is operably coupled with the knob to preventaccidental loosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of theknob in the loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force isexerted on the knob in the loosening direction.

According to another aspect, a reel based closure device for tighteningan article includes a housing having an interior region and a spool thatis positioned within the interior region of the housing. The spool isrotatable in a first direction within the interior region to wind atension member about the spool and is rotatable in a second directionwithin the interior region to unwind the tension member from about thespool. The reel based closure device also includes a knob that isoperably coupled with the spool and with the housing. The knob isoperable to cause the spool to rotate in the first direction within theinterior region of the housing and thereby wind the tension member aboutthe spool. The reel based closure device further includes a seatcomponent that is releasably coupled with a bottom end of the housing.The seat component includes a spool engagement feature that isconfigured to engage a bottom end of the spool as a tension in thetension member decreases. Engagement of the bottom end of the spool andthe spool engagement feature prevents rotation of the spool in thesecond direction.

According to another aspect, a method of coupling a reel based closuredevice with an article includes providing a reel based closure deviceand coupling the reel based closure device with the article. The reelbased closure device includes a housing having an interior region, aspool that is positioned within the interior region of the housing, aknob that is operably coupled with the spool and with the housing, and aseat component that is releasably coupled with a bottom end of thehousing. The knob is operable to cause the spool to rotate in a firstdirection within the interior region of the housing and thereby wind atension member about the spool. The seat component includes a spoolengagement feature that is configured to engage a bottom end of thespool as a tension in the tension member decreases. Engagement of thebottom end of the spool and the spool engagement feature preventsrotation of the spool in a second direction in which the tension memberis unwound from about the spool.

According to another embodiment, a reel based closure device fortightening an article includes a housing having an interior region and aspool that is positioned within the interior region of the housing. Thespool is rotatable in a first direction within the interior region towind a tension member about the spool and is rotatable in a seconddirection within the interior region to unwind the tension member fromabout the spool. The reel based closure device also includes a knob thatis operably coupled with the spool. The knob is operable to cause thespool to rotate in the first direction within the interior region of thehousing and thereby wind the tension member about the spool. The reelbased closure device further includes a biasing component that ispositioned within the interior region of the housing and that isoperably engaged with the spool to allow the spool to move axiallywithin the interior region of the housing. The biasing component isconfigured to bias the spool axially into operably engagement with theknob.

According to another aspect, a method of coupling a reel based closuredevice with an article includes providing a reel based closure deviceand coupling the reel based closure device with the article. The reelbased closure device includes a housing having an interior region, aspool positioned within the interior region of the housing, a knob thatis operably coupled with the spool, and a biasing component that ispositioned within the interior region of the housing. The knob isoperable to cause the spool to rotate within the interior region of thehousing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool and thebiasing component is operably engaged with the spool to allow the spoolto move axially within the interior region of the housing. The biasingcomponent is configured to bias the spool axially into operableengagement with the knob.

According to another aspect, a reel based closure system for tighteningan article includes a housing having an interior region and a pluralityof housing teeth. The reel based closure system also includes a tensionmember, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the interior regionof the housing, and a knob. The spool includes a plurality of spoolteeth. The reel based closure system further includes a clutch mechanismthat is positioned axially above the spool and that is configured tooperably couple the spool and the knob. The clutch mechanism includes aplurality of clutch teeth that are configured to operably engage thespool teeth and a plurality of disc teeth that are configured to engagethe housing teeth to prevent rotation of the spool in a seconddirection. The reel based closure system additionally includes acoupling component that engages the clutch mechanism to maintain theclutch mechanism in a first position and a second position. In the firstposition, the clutch mechanism is operably coupled with the spool suchthat 1) a rotation of the knob in a first direction causes the spool torotate in the first direction within the interior region of the housingto wind the tension member about the spool and 2) a rotation of the knobin a second direction causes the spool to rotate in the second directionwithin the interior region of the housing and thereby incrementallyunwind the tension member from about the spool. In the second position,the clutch mechanism is uncoupled from the spool to allow the spool tofreely rotate within the interior region of the housing in the seconddirection to unwind the tension member from about the spool.

According to another aspect, a tension member guide is described herein.The tension member guide is coupleable with footwear and is configuredto direct or route a tension member about a path of the footwear. Thetension member guide includes a first material having a longitudinallength; and a lateral width. The first material is folded along itslongitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which the tensionmember is insertable. The loop or channel defines, or has, an innersurface adjacent which the tension member is positioned when the tensionmember is inserted through the loop or channel. The loop or channel alsodefines, or has, an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface.The tension member guide also includes a second material having alongitudinal length and a lateral width. The lateral width of the secondmaterial is less, or shorter, than the lateral width of the firstmaterial. The second material is formed of a lower friction materialthan the first material and the second material is coupled with thefirst material so that the second material is longitudinally alignedwith the first material and so that the second material is positioned onthe inner surface of the loop or channel so as to be in direct contactwith the tension member when the tension member is inserted through theloop or channel.

According to another aspect, a tension member guide includes a firstmaterial and a second material. The first material has a longitudinallength and a lateral width. The first material is folded along itslongitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which a tensionmember is insertable. The second material also has a longitudinal lengthand a lateral width, in which the lateral width of the second materialis less than, or shorter than, the lateral width of the first material.The second material is formed of a lower friction material than thefirst material and the second material is coupled with the firstmaterial so that the second material is positioned on an inner surfaceof the loop or channel in order to be in direct contact with the tensionmember when the tension member is inserted within the loop or channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIGS. 1A-M illustrate an embodiment of a reel based closure device thatmay be used to tighten an article.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate another embodiment of a reel based closure devicethat may be used to tighten an article.

FIGS. 3A-F illustrate another embodiment of a reel based closure devicethat may be used to tighten an article.

FIGS. 4A-B illustrate another embodiment of a reel based closure devicethat may be used to tighten an article.

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate another embodiment of a reel based closure devicethat may be used to tighten an article.

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate a guide that may be attached to an article toguide a lace or tension member about a path along the article.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame numerical reference label. Further, various components of the sametype may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letterthat distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If onlythe first numerical reference label is used in the specification, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components and/orfeatures having the same first numerical reference label irrespective ofthe letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

The embodiments described herein provide reel based closure devices(hereinafter closure system or reel based device/system) that may beused to tension a lace or tension member and thereby tighten an articleor other item. The article may be a variety of items including a pack(i.e., back pack, book bag, etc.), an article of clothing (i.e., hats,gloves, belt, etc.), sports apparel (boots, snowboard boots, ski boots,etc.), medical braces (i.e., back braces, knee braces, wrist brace,ankle brace, etc.), and various other items or apparel. A specificembodiment in which the closure system may be employed involvesfootwear, such as shoes, boots, sandals, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-M, illustrated is another embodiment of a reelbased closure device 100 that may be used to tighten an article, such asa shoe, boot, or other article of footwear. The reel based closuredevice 100 may also be used to tighten other non-footwear articles, suchas backpacks, helmets, jackets, etc. The reel based closure device 100may be used to tighten essentially anything that is closed and/ortightened via a tension member, cord, lace, rope, and the like. FIG. 1Aillustrates an assembled view of the reel based closure device 100 whileFIGS. 1B and 1C illustrated exploded perspective views of the reel basedclosure device 100. The various internal components are illustrated inthe exploded perspective views of FIGS. 1B and 1C.

The reel based closure device 100 includes a housing 110 that has aninterior region within which various components of the reel basedclosure device 100 are positioned. For example, a spool 120 ispositioned within the interior region of the housing 110. The spool 120is rotatable within the interior region of the housing in a firstdirection to wind a tension member (not shown) about the spool and isalso rotatable in a second direction within the interior region of thehousing 110 to unwind the tension member from about the spool 120. Thespool 120 typically includes an annular channel about with the tensionmember is wound and unwound. A knob 102 is operably coupled with thespool 120 and with the housing 110. The knob 102 is user rotatable in atightening direction to cause the spool 120 to rotate in the firstdirection and thereby wind the tension member about the spool 120. Theknob is also rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spool 120to rotate in the second direction and thereby unwind the tension memberfrom about the spool 120. The tightening direction typically is the samerotational direction as the first direction (e.g., clockwise), but insome instances, the tightening direction may be an opposite direction ofthe first direction. Likewise, the loosening direction is typically thesame rotational direction as the second direction (e.g.,counterclockwise), but in some instances, the loosening direction may beopposite of the second direction. For convenience in describing the reelbased closure device 100, the spool 120 will hereinafter be described asbeing rotatable in the tightening direction to wind the tension memberand as being rotatable in the loosening direction to unwind the tensionmember. Other components of the reel based closure device 100 includethe pawl disc 140, the knob core 150, and the seat component 130.

The housing 110 is positionable within a base member 104 or bayonet(hereinafter base member 104) that is attachable to the article.Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1G, the housing 110 includes a pairof radially outward extending tabs that snap together couple with a pairof radially inward extending lips of the base member 104. The couplingof the housing's tabs and the base member's lips attach or couple thehousing 110 to the base member. The coupling of one of the housing'stabs and one of the base member's lips is illustrated at 190 of FIG. 1G.The other coupling of the housing's tabs and the base member's lips isillustrated at 192 of FIG. 1G. As illustrated, the housing's tabs arepositioned near the bottom end of the housing 110 and on opposing sidesof the housing. Likewise, the base member's lips are positioned onopposing sides of the base member and near an upper end of the basemember. The material of the housing 110 and base member 104 issemi-resilient, which allows the tabs and lips to be snap togethercoupled.

When the housing 110 is coupled with the base member 104, a pair of laceports, 112 a and 112 b, of the housing 110 are positioned withincorresponding openings or windows, 106 a and 106 b, of the base member104. Positioning of the lace ports, 112 a and 112 b, within theopenings, 106 a and 106 b, of the base member 104 allows the reel basedclosure device 100 to have a more seamless appearance. The lace ports,112 a and 112 b, provide interior access to the tension member, whichallows the tension member to access the spool so that the tension memberis windable and unwindable about the spool. The housing 110 alsoincludes an inner annular ridge 116 that encircles the interior regionof the housing 110 and partitions the interior region into an upperportion and a lower portion. In some embodiments, the inner annularridge 116 functions to prevent the components that are positioned in thelower portion from moving into the upper portion of the housing and toprevent the components that are position in the upper portion frommoving into the lower portion of the housing.

The housing 110 further includes depressions or teeth 118 that areconfigured to engage with one or more teeth of the pawl disc 140. Theteeth 118 may be formed on the inner surface of the housing 110 so thatthe teeth 118 are radially inward facing as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and1C. In other instances, the teeth 118 may be formed on an upper surfaceof the housing 110 so that the teeth 118 are axially upward facing (notshown). In yet other instances, the teeth 118 may be formed on aseparate component (not shown) that is coupleable with the housing 110.The teeth 118 may face axially or radially on the separate component asdesired or required by a given operation of the device. The teeth 118may have a triangular shaped configuration as in FIGS. 1B and 1C or maybe formed of voids or apertures similar to the teeth 138 of the bottomor seat component 130 (hereinafter seat component 130).

The housing 110 includes a coupling component that is configured to snapfit couple with the knob 102. In one instance, the housing's couplingcomponent is an annular ridge or ring 524 that extends partially orfully around the upper surface of the housing 110. The knob 102 includesone or more radially inward protruding tabs 103 that are configured tosnap over the housing's annular ridge 114 in order to attach the knob102 to the housing 110. The annular ridge 114 has a diameter that islarger than an inner diameter that is defined by the one or moreradially inward protruding tabs 103. As such, when the knob 102 isaxially aligned with the housing 110 and the knob 102 is pressed axiallydownward about the housing 110, the knob 102 is forced to flex orslightly bend radially outward, which enables the knob 102 to be movedaxially downward relative to the housing 110 and allows the radiallyinward protruding tabs 103 to be positioned under the annular ridge 114as illustrated in FIGS. 1G-I. A top end of the annular ridge 114 and abottom end of the one or more radially inward protruding tabs 103 ischamfered or angled, which aids in snap fit coupling the knob 102 andhousing 110 as described herein. The larger diameter annular ridge 114prevents the knob 102 from uncoupling or detaching from the housing 110.The snap fit coupling of the knob 102 and housing 110 allows the reelbased closure device 100 to be coupled without requiring the use of abolt, screw, rivet, or other similar mechanical fastener. Additionaldetails of the coupling of the knob 102 and housing 110 are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/991,788, filed Jan. 8, 2016,entitled “Integrated Closure Device Components and Methods,” the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The reel based closure device 100 also includes a seat component 130that is positioned axially below the spool 120 and that is releasablycoupled with a bottom end of the housing 110. The seat component 130typically includes a circular base and a central boss or protrusion 132that protrudes axially upward from the circular base into the interiorregion of the housing 110 when the seat component 130 is coupled withthe bottom end of the housing 110. The circular base functions as thebottom surface of the housing 110 when the seat component 130 isattached to the housing 110. The circular base matches an opening in thebottom end of the housing 110 so that when the seat component 130 iscoupled with the housing 110, the bottom end of the housing 110 is fullycovered and enclosed by the circular base. The central boss 132 isconfigured to be inserted through an aperture of the spool 120, and morespecifically through a central aperture of the spool's inner member 160.The central boss 132 is also axially insertable through a centralaperture 152 of the knob core 150. As described herein, the central boss132 and the knob core 150 operably engage to allow the reel basedclosure device 100 to be moved between an engaged state and a disengagedstate.

The spool 120 is rotationally positioned about the seat component 130 byinserting the central boss 132 through the spool's central aperture. Thespool 120 is able to spin or rotation about the central boss 132 withnegligible friction. The seat component 130 includes a plurality ofradially extending fingers 136 that are configured for positioning incorresponding recesses 117 on the bottom end of the housing 110.Insertion of the radially extending fingers 136 within the recesses 117keys the seat component 130 into the housing 110 and therebyrotationally locks the seat component 130 relative to the housing 110 bypreventing relative rotation of the two components. The seat component130 also includes a pair of coupling arms 131 that are positioned onopposing sides of the seat component 130 and that couple the seatcomponent 130 with the housing 110. The coupling arms 131 extendradially from the seat component 130 and releasably engage the bottomend of the housing 110 in order to releasably couple the seat component130 with the bottom end of the housing 110. The coupling arms 131include an upward turned lip that is configured to flex, bend, or curvearound or over a bottom edge of the housing 110 to secure the seatcomponent 130 to the bottom end of the housing 110. The bottom end ofthe housing 110 includes a pair of small channels within which thecoupling arms 131 are positioned so that when the seat component 130 iscoupled with the housing 110, a bottom surface of the seat component 130is aligned with a bottom surface of the housing 110.

Each upward turned lip includes a radially inward facing protrusion 133that is designed for positioning within a small recess on the exteriorof the housing 110. Positioning of each protrusion 133 within thecorresponding recess secures the seat component 130 to the housing 110.The seat component 130 may be detached from the housing 110 by flexingor bending the upward turned lip radially outward so that the protrusion133 is removed from the housing's recess. An axial downward force maysimultaneously be applied to the seat component 130 to cause the seatcomponent 130 to move axially downward relative to the housing 110.

FIGS. 1D and 1E illustrate how the knob 102, pawl disc 140, and knobcore 150 are coupled together. In coupling these components together,the pawl disc 140 is typically first inserted or positioned within theknob core 150. The upper surface of the knob core 150 is designed toaccommodate and support the pawl disc 140. For example, the knob core150 includes pivot bosses 154 that are designed to couple with a pivotend 144 of the pawl disc's pawl arms 145. The pawl disc 140 typicallyincludes a plurality of pawl arms 145 that are attached to a centralbase 146 of the pawl disc 140. The central base 146 in the illustratedembodiment is an annular ring that is configured to fit around thecentral aperture 152 of the knob core 150 when the two components arecoupled together. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl disc 140includes three pawl arms 145, although in other embodiments the pawldisc 140 may include a single pawl arm, two pawl arms, four pawl arms,and the like.

Each pawl arm 145 is fixedly attached to the central base 146 at aproximal end and each pawl arm 145 extends from the central base 146 tothe pivot end 144. A finger or pawl 142 extends from the pivot end 144in a direction that is opposite of the pawl arm 145. The pawl 142includes one or more teeth 143 that are positioned on the distal end ofthe pawl 142. As described in greater detail herein, the one or morepawls 142 are configured to engage the teeth 118 of the housing 110 in aratchet like manner in order to allow a one way rotational movement ofthe pawl disc 140 and knob core 150 relative to the housing 110.Engagement of the pawls 142 with the teeth 118 lock the pawl disc 140and knob core 150 in rotational position relative to the knob 102 andhousing 110. Engagement of the pawls 142 with the teeth 118 also locksthe spool 120 in rotational position relative to the housing 110 due toengagement of the spool' teeth 166 and the knob core's teeth 157. Eachpawl arm 145 functions as a spring member that biases the respectivepawl 142 radially outward and into engagement with one or more teeth ofthe teeth 118.

The pivot end 144 of the pawl arm 145 includes a small aperture withinwhich a pivot boss 154 of the knob core 150 is inserted. The pivot end144 of the pawl arms 145 pivots around the pivot boss 154 when the pawl142 is deflected into and out of engagement with the teeth 118 asdescribed herein below. The knob core 150 includes a support wall thatis positioned immediately adjacent the pivot bosses 154. The supportwall is shaped and sized to correspond to the pivot end 144 of the pawlarm 145. For example, the support wall is semi-circular and has a radiusthat corresponds to a radius of the pivot end 144 of the pawl arm 145.The pivot end 144 of the pawl arm 145 contacts the support wall when asufficient load is exerted on the pawl 142. In this manner, the knobcore 150 supports and reinforces the pawl disc 140 when the pawl disc isbearing or holding a load.

When the pawl disc 140 is positioned within the knob core 150, thedistal end of the pawls 142 extend radially outward from out outercircumference or perimeter of the knob core 150. For example, the knobcore 150 includes one or more arms 156 that extend circumferentiallyfrom a main body of the knob core 150. A proximal end of the arms 156 isfixedly secured to the main body adjacent the support wall and a distalend of the arms 156 extends circumferentially from the main body in acantilevered manner. The distal end of the arm 156 is detached from themain body in order to allow the distal end of the arm 156 to engage withthe knob and function as a rotation control component to ensure that asufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob 102 in the looseningdirection before the pawls 142 are disengaged from the teeth 118. Thedistal end of the arm 156 functions as a bias spring that engages withthe knob when the knob is rotated in the loosening direction to inhibitaccidental rotation of the knob 102 in the loosening direction. The arms156 define an outer perimeter or circumference of the knob core 150.When the pawl disc 140 is coupled with the knob core 150, the distal endof the pawl 142 extends, or is pivoted, radially outward of the outerperimeter or circumference of the knob core 150 that is defined by theknob core's arms 156. The arms 156 slope downward from the proximal end(i.e., wall 158) to the distal end, which allows the pawls 142 to pivotand extend outward of the knob core's outer perimeter.

When the pawl disc 140 is positioned within the knob core 150, the knobcore 150 may be snap together coupled with the knob 102. Coupling of theknob core 150 with the knob 102 traps or sandwiches the pawl disc 140between the knob 102 and the knob core 150. The knob includes aplurality of axially extending tabs 101 that are configured to snaptogether couple with the main body of the knob core 150. Specifically, adistal end of the axially extending tabs 101 includes a lip that isshaped and sized to be positioned within a recess or pocket 159 of theknob core 150. To couple the knob 102 and the knob core 150, the knobcore is axially aligned with the knob 102 and the recesses 159 arealigned with the axially extending tabs 101. The knob core 150 may thenbe pressed axially upward into the interior of the knob 102, whichcauses the axially extending tabs 101 to flex radially outward andaround the main body of the knob core 150 until the lips are positionedwithin the recesses 159. Positioning of the lips within the recesses 159causes the axially extending tabs 101 to return to an unflexed position,which locks or secure the knob core 150 within the interior of the knob102 as shown in FIG. 1E.

As illustrated in FIG. 1E, the knob's recesses 159 have acircumferential length that is greater than a circumferential width ofthe axially extending tabs 101, which allows the knob 102 to be rotatedrelative to the knob core 150 and pawl disc 140. This rotational motionof the knob 102 in relation to the knob core 150 and pawl disc 140allows the knob to be rotated in the loosening direction to disengagethe pawls 142 from the teeth 118 and thereby incrementally loosentension in the tension member. This incremental loosening process andthe function of the rotational control component (i.e., the arms 156) isdescribed in greater detail herein below.

FIG. 1D also illustrates an axially extending protrusion or sweeper ofthe knob 102 (hereinafter sweeper). The sweeper extends axially downwardfrom the knob 102 and is configured to contact and engage a pawl 142 ofthe pawl disc 140 and to move or pivot the pawl 142 radially inward inorder to disengage the pawl 142 from the teeth 118 of the reel basedclosure device 100. Disengagement of the pawls 142 from the teeth 118enables the spool 120 to rotate in the second direction, which allowsloosening of the tension in the tension member. The sweeper is alsoconfigured to contact and engage the distal end of the arms 156 of theknob core 150. The arms 156 function as a rotation control componentthat prevents accidental loosening of the tension member by inhibitingrotation of the knob 102 in the loosening direction until a sufficientrotational force is exerted on the knob in the loosening direction. Insome conventional reel based systems, rotation of the knob in aloosening direction is not inhibited and the pawls are able to easilydisengage from the teeth upon rotation of the knob in the looseningdirection. This configuration may result in an unwanted loosening of thetension member upon incidental contact of the knob with externalobjects. For example, a user may brush his or her feet past an objectand the object may contact the knob and cause the knob to rotate in theloosening direction. The rotation of the knob in the loosening directionmay cause the pawls to disengage from the teeth, thereby loosening thetension member. This may frustrate the user by requiring the user tofrequently retighten and readjust the tension member.

Since the reel based closure device 100 described herein requires that asufficient rotational force must be exerted on the knob 102 in order torotate the knob in the loosening direction, the sweeper is unable tocontact and disengage the pawl 142 until and unless a sufficientrotational force is exerted on the knob 102. Stated differently, therotation control component ensures that an appreciable rotational forcein the loosening direction is required in order to engage the sweeperand the one or more pawls 142 and thereby disengage the one or morepawls 142 from the teeth 118. The terms “appreciable” or “sufficient”force means a force that is greater than the force exerted on the knob102 from incidental contact with external object, such as a footbrushing past an object. Rather, the terms describe a level of forcethat is exerted by a user on the knob 102 for the purpose or intentionof loosening the tension in the tension member. In this manner, therotation control component prevents accidental loosening of the tensionmember by ensuring that incidental contact between the knob 102 andexternal objects will not loosen the tension member. The rotationcontrol component does not perform any function other than inhibitingrotation of the knob 102 in the loosening direction. The rotationcontrol component is also configured so that the knob 102 engages therotation control component only when the knob 102 is rotated in theloosening direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the sweeper includes a first portion or arm105 b and a second portion or arm 105 a. The second arm 105 a extendsaxially farther from the knob 102 than the first arm 105 b. Thesweeper's first arm 105 b is configured to contact and engage a pawl 142of the pawl disc 140 in order to disengage the pawl 142 from the teeth118 of the reel based closure device 100 and thereby allow the spool tobe rotated in the second direction. The sweeper's second arm 105 a isconfigured to contact and engage the distal end of the knob core's arm156 and to deflect the arm 156 radially as the knob 102 is rotated inthe loosening direction. The sweeper's second arm 105 a contacts andengages the knob core's arm 156 before the sweeper's first arm 105 bcontacts and engages the pawl 142. The sweeper's first arm 105 b isunable to contact the pawl 142 until the knob core's arm 156 isdeflected radially by the sweeper's second arm 105 a.

The sweeper's first arm 105 b includes a sloped or tapered surface thatengages with the pawl 142 and the sweeper's second arm 105 a alsoincludes a sloped or tapered surface that engages with the knob core'sarm 156. The sloped or tapered surface of the first arm 105 b aids inpivoting or moving the pawl 142 out of engagement with the teeth 118 inan easy and efficient manner and the sloped or tapered surface of thesecond arm 105 a aids in deflecting the knob core's arm 156 radially. Insome embodiments, the first arm 105 b has a different slope or taperangle than the second arm 150 a.

The engagement and function of the first and second arms, 105 b and 105a, is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 1J-M. FIG. 1J illustratesthe teeth 143 of the one or more pawls 142 engaged with the teeth 118 ofthe reel based closure device 100. FIG. 1J is a top view of the reelbased closure device 100 with an upper portion of the knob 102 removedso that the internal components of the system are visible. Engagement ofthe pawls' teeth 143 with the teeth 118 locks the pawl disc 140 and knobcore 150 in rotational position relative to the knob 102 and housing 110and also locks the spool 120 in rotational position relative to thehousing 110, thereby preventing rotation of the spool 120 in theloosening direction. The knob core 150 is operationally engaged with thespool 120, which prevents the spool from rotating in the looseningdirection. The force or load that is exerted on the pawls 142 from thetension in the tension member is transferred to the pivot end 144 of thepawl, which contacts the support wall of the knob core 150 as describedherein.

The first and second arms, 105 b and 105 a, do not contact and are notengaged with the pawls 142 or the knob core's arms 156. The knob core'sarms 156 are visible under the pawls 142 and may not contact the firstarms 105 b, or may slightly contact a distal end of the first arms 105b. The sweeper is rotated away from the pawls 142 and into contact witha wall 158 of the knob core. Engagement of the sweeper (i.e., the firstand second arms, 105 b and 105 a) and the wall 158 allows the knob core150, pawl disc 140, and spool 120 to be rotated in the tighteningdirection when the knob 102 is rotated in the tightening direction. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, when the knob 102 is rotated inthe clockwise direction (e.g., the tightening direction), the sweeperexerts a rotational force on the wall 158 in the clockwise direction,which causes the knob core 150 to rotate in the clockwise direction. Thecoupling of the knob core 150 and the spool 120, via the engagement ofthe knob core's teeth 157 and the spool's teeth 166, transfers therotational force to the spool, which causes the spool to also rotate inthe clockwise direction. The rotational force is likewise transferred tothe pawl disc 140 via coupling of the pivot end 144 of the pawl arms 145and pivot bosses 154, sandwiching of the pawl disc 140 between the knob102 and the knob core 150, and the coupling of the pawl disc's centralbase 146 and the knob core's central aperture 152. The rotation forcecauses the pawl disc 140 to rotate in the clockwise direction, whichcauses the pawls 142 to deflect radially inward as the pawls 142 movebetween the teeth 118. The pawl arms 145 bias the pawls 142 back intoengagement with the teeth 118 as the pawl disc 140 is rotated in theclockwise direction. In this manner, the knob 102 is rotatable by a userin order to rotate the spool 120 within the housing 110 and thereby windthe tension member about the spool 120.

It should be realized that the direction or orientation of the pawls 142may be adjusted. For example, the system may be configured so that theknob 102, pawl disc 140, knob core 150, and/or spool 120 are rotatablein the counterclockwise direction to wind the tension member about thespool 120. In other instances, the pawls 142 may be oriented to engagewith axially oriented teeth 118. In such embodiments, the pawls 142 maydisplace or move axially in response to rotation of the pawl disc 140and knob core 150. In any embodiment, the sweeper may function as adrive component to transfer rotational forces from the knob 102 to oneor more internal components, such as the knob core 150, pawl disc 140,and spool 120 as described herein. In this manner, the sweeper mayfunction as both the component that drives rotation of the internalcomponents and as the component that enables incremental loosening ofthe tension member.

FIG. 1K illustrates the sweeper rotated into contact with the pawls 142and with the knob core's arms 156. To simply the illustration, thehousing 110 is removed from the view and the knob 102 is illustrated asa transparent component so that the pawl disc 140 and knob core 150 arevisible through the knob 102. The sweeper is rotated counterclockwiserelative to the image shown in FIG. 1J, which causes the sweeper tocontact and engage the pawls 142 and the knob core's arm 156.Specifically, the first arm 105 b contacts and engages a pawl 142 whilethe second arm 105 a contacts and engages an arm 156 of the knob core150. As described herein, the system is configured so that the secondarm 105 a contacts and engages the knob core's arm 156 before the firstarm 105 b contacts and engages the pawl 142, which allows the knobcore's arm 156 to function as a rotation control component that inhibitsrotation of the knob 102 in the loosening direction as described herein.The rotation control function is provided because the knob core's arm156 functions as a bias spring that engages with the knob 102, and morespecifically the knob's second arm 105 a, when the knob is rotated inthe loosening direction and counters rotation of the knob 102 in theloosening direction. The first arm 105 b is unable to contact the pawl142 until the knob core's arm 156 is deflected radially by the secondarm 105 a.

The pawl 142 is also shown in a flexed state in which the pawl 142 ispivoted about the pawl's pivot end 144 and is displaced closer to thepawl arm 145. The flexed state creates or increases elastic potentialenergy within the pawl arm 145, which is released when the first arm 105b is rotated out of engagement with the pawl arm 145. Rotation of thefirst arm 105 b out of engagement with the pawl arm 145 may occur due torotation of the knob 102 in the tightening direction or due to rotationof the spool 120 in the loosening direction via tension in the tensionmember. The released elastic potential energy causes the pawls 142 topivot into engagement with the teeth 118, thereby relocking the pawldisc 140, knob core 150, and spool 120 in position relative to thehousing 110. The pawl arm 145 may include a nub 147 that engages withthe wall 158 to prevent the pawl arm 145 from bowing outward, which mayincrease the elastic potential energy that is created and stored withinthe pawl arm 145 due to displacement of the pawl 142.

Displacement of the pawl 142 via engagement of the first arm 105 bcauses the pawl arm to displace from the teeth 118, which unlocks thepawl disc 140, knob core 150, and spool 120 from the housing. With thesecomponents unlocked, the spool 120 is able to spin in the looseningdirection due to tension in the tension member. A rotational force inthe loosening direction is transferred from the spool 120 to the knobcore 150 and pawl disc 140 due to the coupling of the spool 120 and theknob core 150, which causes the knob core 150 and pawl disc 140 to spinin the loosening direction. Rotation of the pawl disc 140 in theloosening direction causes the pawl 142 to disengage from the first arm105 b, which causes the pawl 142 to displace or pivot radially outwardinto contact with the teeth 118 of the housing 110. This temporarydisengagement of the pawl 142 and the teeth 118 results in anincremental loosening or decrease of tension in the tension member. Thepawl 142 remains engaged and locked with the teeth 118 until the knob102 is further rotated in the loosening direction, which causes thefirst arm 105 b to reengage the pawl 142 and effects the chain of eventsjust described. In this manner, the knob 105 b may be rotated in theloosening direction to effect or cause an incremental loosening ordecrease in the tension member's tension. The incremental loosening ofthe tension member allows a user to make minor adjustment in tension.

FIGS. 1L and 1M illustrate the engagement of the first arm 105 b andpawl 142 and the engagement of the second arm 105 a and the knob core'sarm 156 in greater detail. For simplicity in illustrating theengagement, the only components that are illustrated in FIGS. 1L and 1Mare the knob 102 and pawl disc 140 or knob core 150. Referring to FIG.1L, the engagement of the first arm 105 b and the pawls 142 isillustrated. The engagement of these components effects the incrementaltension member loosening function described above. The first arm 105 bis illustrated as displacing or pivoting the pawls 142 radially inward.As illustrated, the pawls 142 may include a tooth or projection thatfacilitates in engagement of the first arm 105 b and the pawls 142. Theprojection allows the first arm 105 b to engage a pawl 142 withoutrequiring a substantial rotation of the first arm 105 b relative to thepawl disc 140. FIG. 1M illustrates the engagement of the second arm 105a and the knob core's arm 156. The engagement of these componentsprovides a counter force to the rotation of the knob 102 in theloosening direction. Specifically, the knob core's arm 156 engages adistal end of the second arm 105 a and is displaced radially inward asthe second arm 105 a is rotated in the loosening direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) relative to the knob core 150. Displacement of theknob core's arm 156 radially inward provides a spring force thatcounters rotation of the second arm 105 a in the loosening direction. Tocontinue to rotate the second arm 105 a in the loosening direction, therotational force exerted on the knob 102 must be greater than thecountering force from the knob core's arm 156. Since the second arm 105a engages with the knob core's arm 156 before the first arm 105 bcontacts the pawl 142, a rotational force that is greater than thecountering force of the knob core's arm 156 must be exerted on the knob102 in order to engage the first arm 105 b and pawl 142 andincrementally loosen the tension member's tension. As such, the knobcore's arm 156 functions as a rotation control component that controlsor regulates rotation of the knob 102 in the loosening direction andinhibits or prevents accidental loosening of the tension member. Thecountering spring force of the knob core's arm 156 may be varied byvarying the thickness of the knob core's arm 156, the slope or taper ofthe second arm 105 a, the cantilevered configuration of the knob core'sarm 156, the material properties of the knob core's arm 156, and thelike. Ideally, the countering force is sufficient to prevent accidentalloosening of the tension member without being too substantial so as todiscourage or frustrate a user.

FIGS. 1G and 1H illustrate the knob core 150 being operationally engagedwith the central boss 132 in a manner that enables the pawl disc 140 andknob core 150 to be supported in one of two positions: an engagedposition and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the pawldisc 140 and knob core 150 are positioned axially downward with respectto the housing 110 and spool 120, which enables the knob 102 to beoperated to tighten and incrementally loosen the tension member asdescribed herein. In the disengaged position, the pawl disc 140 and knobcore 150 are positioned axially upward with respect to the housing 110and spool 120, which enables the spool 120 to freely spin in theloosening direction to freely loosen the tension member's tension.

FIG. 1G illustrates the disengaged position in which the knob core 150and pawl disc 140 are positioned axially upward relative to the housing110 and spool 120. In the disengaged position, axially oriented teeth166 of the spool 120 are disengaged from, and do not contact, axiallyoriented teeth 157 of the knob core 150. Since the axially orientedteeth, 166 and 157, of the spool 120 and knob core 150 are disengaged,the spool 120 is able to spin or rotate freely within the housing 110 inthe loosening direction. In the disengaged position, the pawls 142 ofthe pawl disc 140 may disengage from the housing's teeth 118, which mayallow the knob 102, pawl disc 140, and knob core 150 to be rotated inthe loosening direction. In other embodiments, the pawls 142 may remainengaged with the housing's teeth 118 in the disengaged position, whichmay prevent rotation of the knob 102, pawl disc 140, and knob core 150in the loosening direction.

In some embodiments, the knob 102 may likewise be positioned axiallyupward with respect to the housing 110 and spool 120 in the disengagedposition. Axially upward movement of the knob 102, pawl disc 140, andknob core 150 into the disengaged position may be achieved by pullingaxially upward on the knob 102. When the knob 102 is moved axiallyupward relative to the housing 110, the radially inward protruding tabs103 of the knob 102 may contact the housing's annular ridge 114 asillustrated in FIG. 1G. In other embodiments, the knob 102 may remainaxially stationary with respect to the housing 110 and spool 120 whilethe pawl disc 140 and knob core 150 are moved to the axially upwardposition. In such embodiments, axial upward movement of the pawl disc140 and knob core 150 may be achieved by rotating the knob 102 in theloosening direction and/or by employing a separate release mechanism orbutton, such as a lever, button, clamp, and the like. To move the pawldisc 140 and knob core 150 axially upward, the knob 102 and/or knob core150 may include cammed, ramped, or sloped surfaces, or anothermechanism, that moves the pawl disc 140 and knob core 150 axially upwardas the knob 102 is rotated in the loosening direction.

FIG. 1H illustrates the engaged position in which the knob core 150 andpawl disc 140 are positioned axially downward relative to the housing110 and spool 120. In the engaged position, the spool's axially orientedteeth 166 are engaged with, and directly contact, the knob core'saxially oriented teeth 157. Engagement of the axially oriented teeth,166 and 157, of the spool 120 and knob core 150 operationally locks theknob core 150 and the spool 120 together so that a rotation of the knobcore 150 in the tightening direction causes the spool 120 to rotate inthe tightening direction. The spool 120 and knob core 150 are alsooperationally locked so that a rotation of the spool 120 in theloosening direction causes the knob core 150 to rotate in the looseningdirection. In the engaged position, the pawls 142 of the pawl disc 140are engaged with the housing's teeth 118, which locks the pawl disc 140,knob core 150, and spool 120 in rotational position relative to thehousing 110 as described herein. The knob 102 is likewise positionedaxially downward with respect to the housing 110 and spool 120 in theengaged position. When the knob 102 is positioned axially downwardrelative to the housing 110, a gap G exists between the knob's radiallyinward protruding tabs 103 and the housing's annular ridge 114 asillustrated in FIG. 1H.

The central boss 132 supports and maintains the pawl disc 140, knob core150, and/or knob 102 in the engaged and disengaged positons via anannular projection or member 134. The annular member 134 has a diameterthat is greater than the diameter of the knob core's central aperture152, which causes the annular member 134 to interfere with and impedeaxially upward and downward movement of the knob core 150 about the topend of the central boss 132. While the annular member 134 impedes axialmovement of the knob core 150, the annular member 134 does not preventaxial movement of the knob core 150 due to the ability of the centralboss 132 to displace or flex radially inward. Specifically, the centralboss 132 is formed of a pair of fingers or protrusions that extendaxially upward from the circular base of the seat component 130. Thepair of protrusions flex radially inward toward one another as the knobcore 150 is moved axially upward and downward in relation to the annularmember 134. Specifically, the engagement of the annular member 134 andthe knob core's central aperture 152 forces the pair of protrusions toflex inward as the knob core 150 is moved axially upward and downwardabout the annular member 134. After the knob core 150 is moved axiallyupward or downward about the annular member 134, the pair of protrusionsresiliently flex outward to resume an un-deflected configuration. Inoperation, the knob core's central aperture 152 is positioned above orbelow the annular member 134, which supports and maintains the knob core150, pawl disc 140, and/or knob 102 in either the engaged or disengagedposition.

The reel based closure device 100 may include a reinforcement spring 170to strengthen and reinforce the pair of protrusions of the seatcomponent 130. To reinforce the pair of protrusions, the reinforcementspring 170 is inserted axially within an axially extending gap betweenthe pair of protrusions of the seat component 130. The reinforcementspring 170 is made of a flexible and resilient material, such as springsteel or a metal free (e.g., PEAK) material. The reinforcement spring170 aids in resiliently deflecting the pair of protrusions as the knobcore 150 is moved axially upward and downward about the annular member134. The reinforcement spring 170 may also stiffen the pair ofprotrusions and prevent the pair of protrusions from plasticallydeforming due to extended use of the reel based closure device 100. Asillustrated, the reinforcement spring 170 may have a U-shapedconfiguration.

The reinforcement spring 170 may include an aperture 172 that engageswith a small projection that is positioned on the inner surface of thepair of protrusions. Engagement of the apertures 172 and projectionslock or retain the reinforcement spring 170 in position relative to thepair of protrusions. The reinforcement spring 170 may be insertedaxially through a bottom aperture of the seat component 130 to positionthe reinforcement spring 170 between the pair of protrusions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the seat component 130 includes aspool engagement feature 138 that is configured to engage a bottom endof the spool 120 as a tension in the tension member decreases. Typicallythe spool engagement feature 138 and the spool 120 do not engage until atension in the tension member is at or near a tension threshold, such asa nominal or zero amount of tension. Engagement of the bottom end of thespool 120 and the spool engagement feature 138 prevents rotation of thespool 120 in the loosening direction. Stated differently, the spool 120is rotatable in the loosening direction until the bottom end of thespool 120 contacts and engages with the spool engagement feature 138.After engagement of the spool 120 and the spool engagement feature 138,rotation of the spool 120 in the loosening direction is prevented.

In one embodiment, the spool 120 includes teeth 126 that are positionedon and axially extend from a bottom surface of the spool 120. The teeth126 are configured to engage with circumferentially spaced aperturesthat are formed on the seat component's circular base. The aperturesfunction as the spool engagement feature 138 (hereinafter apertures 138)such that engagement of the spool's teeth with the circumferentiallyspaced apertures prevents rotation of the spool 120 in the looseningdirection. In other embodiments, the spool engagement feature may beteeth that are formed on the circular base, or may be other frictionalcomponents, such as a rubber type gasket or material, abrasivematerials, tacky materials, and the like.

The spool's teeth 126 and the apertures 138 are configured to bedisengaged until the tension member's tension is at or near the tensionthreshold. Disengagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138 allows thespool 120 to rotate in the tightening and loosening direction asdescribed herein to tension and loosen the tension member. After theteeth 126 and apertures 138 engage, further rotation of the spool 120 inthe loosening direction is prevented or limited. To allow engagement anddisengagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138, the spool 120 isconfigured to move axially upward and downward relative to housing 110as illustrated in FIGS. 1H and 1I. The axial upward positioning of thespool 120 is illustrated in FIG. 1H, which shows the bottom of the spool120 disengaged and axially separated from the top of the seat component130. An axial gap is present between the bottom of the spool 120 and thetop of the seat component 130 and as such, the spool's teeth 126 and theseat component's apertures 138 do not contact and engage with oneanother.

Disengagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138 may be facilitated orachieved by providing a slight taper or sloped configuration on spool'steeth 166 and the knob core's teeth 157. The taper/slope of teeth, 166and 157, may be oriented so that the spool 120 is forced or pulledaxially upward relative to housing 110 and into engagement with the knobcore 150 when the knob core 150 rotates in the first or tighteningdirection. For example, the taper/slope configuration of the teeth, 166and 157, may cause the spool's teeth 166 to slide axially upwardrelative to and into further engagement with the knob core's teeth 157as the knob core 150 rotates in the tightening direction. In thismanner, the spool 120 may be pulled into the axially upwardconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1H.

As described herein, in some embodiments the spool includes an innermember 160 and an outer member 120. In such embodiments, the engagementof the spool's teeth 166 and the knob core's teeth 157 causes both theinner member 160 and the outer member 120 to move axially upward whenthe knob core 150 is rotated in the tightening direction. The outermember 120 may be pulled axially upward due to an interaction of theinner member's legs, 164 a and 164 b, and the outer member's channels,124 a and 124 b. Outward projecting tabs on the legs, 164 a and 164 b,may pull axially upward on a recess or tab of the channels, 124 a and124 b, to pull the outer member 120 axially upward. A similar axiallyupward movement is achieved when some amount of tension exists in thetension member since the tension will urge the spool 120 toward acounter-rotation relative to the knob core 150, which will cause thespool's teeth 166 to slide axially upward relative to and into furtherengagement with the knob core's teeth 157 due to the shape of thetaper/slope of the teeth, 166 and 157.

As the tension in the tension member is decreased, at some point thetension will achieve or exceed the tension threshold, which will causethe spool 120 to move axially downward relative to housing 110 and willcause the spool's teeth 126 to contact and engage with the seatcomponent's teeth 138. The axial downward position of the spool 120relative to the housing 110 is illustrated in FIG. 1I, which shows thebottom of the spool 120 contacting and engaged with the top of the seatcomponent 130. Since the spool 120 directly contacts the seat component130, the spool's teeth 126 frictionally engage with the apertures 138.

Frictional engagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138 prevents orlimits further rotational movement of spool 120 in the looseningdirection. The spool 120 will remain in the axially downward positionuntil the knob core 150 is rotated in the tightening direction, whichwill cause the spool 120 to move axially upward as previously described.Rotation of the spool 120 in the loosening direction is prevented evenif and when the knob 102 is rotated in the loosening direction. The reelbased closure device 100 is configured so that when the teeth 126 andapertures 138 engage, the engagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138is undetectable upon further rotation of the knob 102 in the looseningdirection. Stated differently, if a user rotates the knob 102 in theloosening direction after engagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138,the system is designed so that the engagement of the teeth 126 andapertures 138 will not be noticed by the user.

One way in which the engagement is not detectable is that the knob 102does not move or bounce axially when the knob 102 is rotated in theloosening direction after engagement of the teeth 126 and apertures 138.To minimize the effects on the knob 102 due to engagement of the teeth126 and apertures 138, the reel based closure device 100 includes abiasing component that is positioned within the interior region of thehousing 110 and that is operably engaged with the spool 120 to allow thespool to move axially upward and downward within the interior region ofthe housing 110. The biasing component is configured to bias the spool120 axially into operable engagement with the knob 102.

In some embodiments, the biasing component is a coil spring 162 that isaligned coaxially with the spool 120 and that is engaged with the spool.To further minimize the effects on the knob 102 due to engagement of theteeth 126 and apertures 138, the spool 120 may be formed of two or morecomponents. For example, the spool 120 may be formed of an outer member120 (hereinafter outer member 120) and an inner member 160. The innermember 160 may be coupled with the outer member 120 so that the innermember 160 is axially moveable relative to and within the outer member120. The inner member 160 and the outer member 120 may be rotationallylocked in relation to one another. To rotationally lock the inner andouter members, the outer member 120 may include a pair of channels, 124a and 124 b, within which a pair of legs, 164 a and 164 b, arepositioned. The channels, 124 a and 124 b, and legs, 164 a and 164 b,are shaped and sized so that insertion of the legs, 164 a and 164 b,within the channels, 124 a and 124 b, rotationally keys or locks the twocomponents together. A distal end of the legs, 164 a and 164 b, includestabs that engage with a bottom end of the channels, 124 a and 124 b, tolock the inner member 160 within the channels, 124 a and 124 b, of theouter member 120 as shown in FIG. 1G. A surface of the inner member 160may rest on a ledge or step 122 of the outer member 120 when the innermember and outer member are coupled together.

The inner member 160 is operably engaged with the coil spring 162 andmore specifically, the coil spring 162 is coaxially aligned with andinserted within a cylindrical channel of the inner member 160. Anopposite end of the coil spring 162 contacts and is supported by a ledgeor ridge 123 of the outer member 120. Since the coil spring 162 contactsboth the inner member 160 and the outer member 120, the coil spring 162biases or urges these components axially apart. Specifically, the coilspring 162 axially biases the inner member 160 relative to the outermember 120 into engagement with the knob core 150. The spool's teeth 166axially extend from an upper surface of the inner member 160 and assuch, biasing the inner member 160 into engagement with the knob core150 biases the spool's teeth 166 into engagement with the knob core'steeth 157. Since the inner member 160 is locked rotationally with theouter member 120 via insertion of the legs, 164 a and 164 b, within thechannels, 124 a and 124 b, when the knob core 150 is rotated in thetightening direction, the rotational force that is exerted on the innermember 160 from the knob core 150 is transferred to the outer member120, which causes the outer member 120 to rotation in the tighteningdirection. Similarly, rotation of the outer member 120 in the looseningdirection via tension in the tension member, causes the inner member 160to rotate in the loosening direction.

The spool's other teeth 126 are positioned on the outer member 120 andthus, the outer member 120 is configured to move axially downward andinto engagement with the seat component 130 as previously described. Asillustrated in FIG. 1I, when the outer member 120 is positioned axiallydownward and engaged with the seat component 130, the coil spring 162biases the inner member 160 axially upward so that the inner member 160remains at least partially engaged with the knob core 150. The coilspring 162 aids in engaging the outer member 120 with the seat component130 by biasing the outer member 120 axially downward relative to theinner member 160 as the tension member's tension is decreased asdescribed herein. The engagement of the coil spring 162 and the outermember's ridge 123 biases the outer member 120 axially downward as thetension member's tension is decreased to near or beyond the tensionthreshold. As the outer member 120 is moved axially upward, or the innermember 160 is moved axially downward, the coil spring 162 is compressed.FIGS. 1H and 5I illustrate the relative axial movement of the outer andinner members, 120 and 160.

To reduce or prevent axial movement of the knob 102 when the outermember 120 is engaged with the seat component 130, the inner member 160is configured to be pressed axially downward as the knob 102 is rotatedin the loosening direction. Specifically, as the knob 102 and knob core150 are rotated in the loosening direction after engagement of the outermember 120 and the seat component 130, a rear surface of knob core'steeth 157 contacts a rear surface of the spool's teeth 166. The rearsurfaces of these teeth, 157 and 166, are sloped or ramped so thatcontact between the rear surfaces of the teeth, 157 and 166, presses orforces the inner member 160 axially downward relative to the outermember 120. The downward force on the inner member 160 causes the innermember 160 to move axially downward within and relative to the outermember 120. The axial downward movement of the inner member 160 alsoallows the knob core's teeth 157 to rotate past the spool's teeth 166 inthe loosening direction. Since the inner member 160 is pressed axiallydownward, the knob 102 is not forced to move or bounce axially upwardwhen the knob core's teeth 157 rotate past the spool's teeth 166.Rather, the inner member 160 moves or bounces axially downward as theknob core's teeth 157 slide along the slope or taper of the spool'steeth 166 and rotate past the spool's teeth 166. In this manner, theknob 102, knob core 150, and pawl disc 140 are rotatable in theloosening direction without causing any axial movement or motion of theknob 102 after engagement of the outer member 120 and the seat component130.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, illustrated are exploded perspectiveviews of the reel based lacing device or system 200 (hereinafter lacingsystem 200) in a disassembled state. The lacing system 200 includes atightening component 202, such as a reel or knob (hereinafter knob 202),that is designed to be grasped and rotated by a user. The knob 202 ispositioned with respect to the lacing system 200 so that it is easilyaccessible to a user. The knob 202 is illustrated as having acylindrical profile or shape when viewed from a top surface, althoughvarious other knob shapes or configurations may be employed, such ashexagonal, octagonal, triangular, and the like. The knob 202 is attachedto a housing or housing component 220 (hereinafter housing 220). Thehousing 220 includes an interior region within which one or morecomponents of the lacing system 200 are positioned. The housing 220 isconfigured to be attached to the article (e.g., shoe, boot, etc.) thatemploys the lacing system 200 for adjusting the tightness or fit of thearticle. For example, the housing 220 may include a flange that isstitched, adhered, adhesively bonded, welded (RF, ultrasonic, etc.), orotherwise attached to the article. In some instances, the housing 220 orthe flange may be insert molded onto the article that employs the lacingsystem 200.

As noted above, the housing 220 includes a cylindrical portion having aninterior region within which one or more components of the lacing system200 are positioned. Within the interior cylindrical portion are housingteeth 221. The housing teeth 221 may be formed during the moldingprocess, or may be subsequently cut therein. Each tooth defines a slopedportion 227 and a substantially radial surface 228. In one embodiment,the sloped portion 227 of each housing tooth 221 allows relativeclockwise rotation of a cooperating pawl, while inhibiting relativecounterclockwise rotation of the engaging pawl. Of course, the toothdirection could be reversed as desired. The number and spacing ofhousing teeth 221 controls the fineness of adjustment possible, and thespecific number and spacing can be designed to suit the intended purposeby one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. However, in manyapplications it is desirable to have a fine adjustment of the lacetension and the inventors hereof have found that approximately 20 to 40housing teeth 221 are sufficient to provide an adequately fineadjustment of the lace tension.

The housing 220 additionally contains a pair of tension member entryholes 225 (hereinafter entry holes 225) for allowing each end of atension member, e.g., lace, to enter herein. The housing 220 entry holes225 may be made more robust by the addition of higher durometermaterials either as inserts or coatings to reduce the wear caused by thetension member abrading against the housing 220 entry holes 225.Additionally, the site of the entry holes 225 can be rounded orchamfered to provide a larger area of contract with the tension memberto further reduce the pressure abrasion effects of the tension memberrubbing on the housing 220 unit.

The housing 220 is preferably injection molded out of any suitablematerial. For example, the housing 220 may be formed of nylon. Ofcourse, any suitable manufacturing process that produces mating partsfitting within the design tolerances is suitable for the manufacture ofthe components disclosed herein. In embodiments, it is preferable thatan inner bottom surface 224 of the housing 220 be highly lubricious toallow mating components an efficient sliding engagement therewith. Forexample, the inner bottom surface 224 of the housing 220 may be coatedwith any of a number of coatings desired to reduce its coefficient offriction and thereby allow any components sharing surface contracttherewith to easily slide.

With additional reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a spool 230 is configuredto reside within the cylindrical portion of the housing 220 and isconfigured with sloped spool teeth 231 raised from a top surface of thespool 230. The spool 230 is rotatably positioned within the interiorregion of the housing 220 and is configured so that a tension member(not shown) is windable about the spool 230 in order to tension thetension member and tighten the article. In embodiments, the spool 230 isformed of metal, such as aluminum, by any standard chip producing,material removal machining operation. Alternatively, the spool 230 maybe cast or molded and may be formed of any suitable polymer. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the spool 230 is formed of nylon and mayoptionally have a metal plate insert.

The spool 230 is configured to receive and wind a tension member (notshown), such as a lace or a cord, around an internal column (not shown).The tension member passes through entry holes 225 of the housing 220 andis securely held in the spool. In one embodiment, the tension member hastwo ends that are tied together. In such an embodiment, the spool 230can be configured with a recess to accompany the knot formed by thetension ends.

It is preferable that the tension member is attached to the spool 230 atsubstantially diametrically opposed locations to provide a simultaneousand equivalent tension to each tension member as a winding force isimparted to the spool 230. Moreover, a preferred tension memberattachment configuration applies balanced forces to the spool 230 toprotect the spool 230 from transverse bending forces that could causethe journal connection to prematurely wear. For example, if the tensionmember engages the spool 230 from directions forming a ninety-degreeangle, the forces imparted by the tension in the wound tension memberwould apply a shear force to the internal column of the spool 230 aroundwhich the tension member winds. If, however, the tension member wasdiametrically attached to the spool 230, the resultant force on thespool 230 from the equivalent opposing tension forces would be zero,thus protecting the spool 230 and its journaled connection from wearresulting from transverse forces.

The spool 230 comprises a central annular groove 232 configured toreceive the wound up tension member. As the spool 230 is rotated in thetightening direction the tension member that is attached to the spool230 is wound around the annular groove 232 of the spool 230. The annulargroove 232 is preferably configured to contain the full length of thetension member, while minimizing any tendency for the tension member tobecome loose within the housing 220 and potentially becoming jammed, orinterfering with additional components contained within the housing 220.In some embodiments (not shown), two annular grooves separated by anannular ridge may be provided to segregate each end of the lace toreduce the likelihood of jamming or binding the mechanism.

As noted above, the spool 230 is preferably circular in shape and isconfigured to reside within the interior region of the housing 220. Toreduce rotational friction between the spool 230 and the housing 220,the spool 230 is detachable from the housing 220. Instead a rotatableconnection maintains the spool 230 at the center of the housing 220 andthereby inhibits friction caused by the outer periphery of the spool 230contacting the inner periphery of the housing 220, while still allowingthe spool 230 to freely spin within the housing 220. The spool 230 isrotatably connected to the housing 220 via a pawl disc 240. By using thepawl disc 240 to rotatably connect the spool 230 to the housing 220, thespool 230 is allowed to freely rotate in either direction within thehousing 220.

As evident in the exploded perspective views of FIG. 2A-B, the lacingsystem 200 includes additional components. These additional componentsare also housed or contained within the housing 220 of the lacing system200 when the system is assembled and thus, these additional componentsare typically not visible in an assembled view of the lacing system 200.The additional components include the pawl disc 240 and pivoting arms250, which are described in further detail below.

The pawl disc 240 is positioned axially above the spool 230 androtatably couples the spool 230 to housing 220 by means of a pair ofpivoting arms 250. The pawl disc 240 in combination with pivoting arms250 allows the spool 230 to rotate in one direction (i.e., thetightening direction) while preventing rotation of the spool 230 in theopposite direction (i.e., the loosening direction) within the housing220. The tightening direction may be a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection as desired while the loosening direction would be the oppositedirection. However, for the discussion herein, the tightening directionis clockwise and the loosening direction is counterclockwise.

The pawl disc 240 is operably coupled to the spool 230 via the pair ofpivoting arms 250 such that the pawl disc 240 allows the spool 230 torotate in the tightening direction, while preventing the spool 230 fromrotating in the loosening direction within the house 220 when the lacingsystem 200 is in an engaged state. The pivoting arms 250 are positionedaxially above the pawl disc 240 but axially below the knob 202. The knob202 is rotatably coupled with the housing 220 and is positioned axiallyabove the pivoting arms 250 and operably coupled therewith so that anoperation of the knob 202 (e.g., rotation of the knob 202) causes thespool 230 to rotate within the interior region of the housing 220 in thefirst direction to wind the tension member about the spool 230.

As briefly noted above, the spool teeth 231 are raised from a topsurface of the spool 230 and, when the lacing system 200 is assembled,the spool teeth 231 extend through a central circular opening 246 in acircular section 243 of the pawl disc 240. The extent that the spoolteeth 231 extend beyond the top surface of the spool 230 corresponds tothe thickness of both the pawl disc 240 and the pivoting arms 250combined when assembled. That is, once the spool teeth 231 arepositioned through the circular opening 246, a top surface of the spoolteeth 231 becomes flush with a top surface of the pivoting arms 250after the pivoting arms 250 are assembled atop the pawl disc 240 and thepawl disc 240 is assembled atop the top surface of the spool 230.

Each tooth of the spool teeth 231 defines a sloped portion 237 and asubstantially radial surface 238. In one embodiment, the sloped portion237 of each spool tooth 231 in combination with the cooperating pivotingarms 250, allows relative counterclockwise rotation of the spool 230,while inhibiting relative clockwise rotation of the spool 230 when thepivoting arms 250 are engaged with the spool teeth 231. Of course, thetooth direction could be reversed as desired. The number and spacing ofspool teeth 231 controls the fineness of adjustment possible, and thespecific number and spacing can be designed to suit the intended purposeby the one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

It should be noted that the slope orientation of the spool teeth 231 andthe housing teeth 221 are opposite of each other. Accordingly, thisprovides that the each of the teeth, spool teeth 231 and the housingteeth 221, allow rotation and inhibit rotation of the spool 230 inopposite directions. To allow the spool 230 to rotate freely in eitherdirection, in accordance to a user's rotation of the knob 202, the spool230 is mechanically coupled with the pawl disc 240 and the pivoting arms250 in an arrangement that provides for a tightening engagement andloosening engagement. When in the tightening engagement arrangement, thecoupling of the pawl disc 240 and pivoting arms 250 with the spool 230allows for rotation of the spool 230 in the tightening direction (e.g.,clockwise), while inhibiting rotation of the spool 230 in the looseningdirection (e.g., counterclockwise). Conversely, when in the looseningengagement arrangement, the coupling of the pawl disc 240 and thepivoting arms 250 with the spool 230 allows for rotation of the spool230 in the loosening direction, while inhibiting rotation of the spool230 in the tightening direction. Accordingly, it is through the pivotingof the pivoting arms 250 that provide for the spool 230 to disengagefrom the housing teeth 221 and freely rotate in the loosening direction.

The pivoting arms 250 mechanically couple the pawl disc 240 to the spool230 and in turn, mechanically couple the spool 230 to the housing 220.Axial posts 244 axially extend from a top surface of the circularsection 243 of the pawl disc 240 towards the knob 202 and mechanicallycouple the pawl disc 240 with the pivoting arms 250. As illustrated inthe assembled view of the lacing system 200 in FIG. 2C-D, the axialposts 244 of the pawl disc 240 engage with, and insert into, pivotingapertures 255 of the pivoting arms 250 so that the pawl disc 240 and thepivoting arms 250 function as a unitary component. The axial posts 244mechanically couple the pawl disc 240 and the pivoting arms 250 suchthat when the pawl disc 240 rotates in the tightening direction, thenthe pivoting arms 250 also rotate in the tightening direction, and viceversa. Moreover, when the axial posts 244 are inserted into the pivotingapertures 255 in an assembled state, the pivoting arms 250 are able topivot about the axial posts 244. It is the pivoting of the pivoting arms250 that releases the spool 230 from engagement with the pawl disc 240,and in turn the housing teeth 221, and allows the spool 230 to rotate inthe loosening direction.

The pivoting arms 250 comprise a primary tooth 251, a secondary tooth252, a pawl spring 256, and a pivoting notch 253. The primary tooth 251and the secondary tooth 252 are positioned radially inwards and areconfigured to engage with the spool teeth 231, which, as discussedabove, are inserted through the circular opening at the center of thecircular section 243 of the pawl disc 240 and are flush with thepivoting arms 250 on the horizontal plane. As illustrated in FIGS. 2Cand 2D, when the pivoting arms 250 are mechanically coupled to the pawldisc 240, the pair of pivoting arms 250 are positioned complementarilyto each other, oriented clockwise. The pair of pivoting arms 250 arevertically and horizontally mirrored opposite of one another, with theprimary tooth 251 and the secondary tooth 252 directed towards the spoolteeth 231. As such, when the pair of pivoting arms 250 are arranged inthe clockwise direction, a first end of a first pivoting arm 250comprising the pawl spring 256 is directed towards a second end of thesecond pivoting arm 250. And a first end of a second pivoting arm 250comprising the pawl spring 256 is directed towards a second end of thefirst pivoting arm 250.

The primary tooth 251 and secondary tooth 252 are positioned such thatonly one tooth may be engaged with the spool teeth 231 at a given time,depending on the orientation of the pivoting arms 250. As discussedabove, the pivoting arms 250 are configured to pivot about the axialposts 244 of the pawl disc 240. In the tightening engagement position,the pivoting arms 250 are pivoted forward, in the clockwise direction,engaging the primary tooth 251 with the spool teeth 231 and disengagingthe secondary tooth 252 from the spool teeth 231. However, when thepivoting arms 250 are pivoted backwards in the counterclockwise,loosening direction, then the secondary tooth 252 engages with the spoolteeth 231, and the primary tooth 251 disengages from the spool teeth.

As illustrated, the pawl disc 240 includes two pawls 241 that arepositioned on the distal ends of two diametrical cantilevered arms 242.The two diametrical cantilevered arms 242 extend radially in acounterclockwise (or loosening direction) from and in the same plane asthe circular section 243. The two pawls 241 are biased radially outwardso that they engage with housing teeth 221 of the housing 220 in aratchet like manner to enable a one-way winding motion of the spool 230within the housing 220. The sloped portion 227 of the housing teeth 221allows the pawls 241 to slide up the housing teeth 221, causing thecantilevered arms 242 to deflect radially inwards as the pawl disc 240is rotated in the tightening direction. When the pawls 241 reach thesubstantially radial surface 228 of the housing teeth 221, thecantilevered arms 242 deflect the pawls 241 back into an engaged statewith the next housing tooth 221. The pawls 241 are deflected back downto the bottom of the sloped portion 227 of the next housing tooth 221.In contrast, the substantially radially surface 228 prevents rotation ofthe pawl disc 240 in the loosening direction When the pawls 241 areengaged with the housing teeth 221, the substantially radial surface 228inhibits the pawl disc from rotating in the counterclockwise direction.

Although the pawls 241 are illustrated as projecting radially outward,in some embodiments the pawls 241 may project radially inward or axiallyupward or downward.

In such embodiments, the housing teeth 221 that engage with the pawls241 would also be positioned somewhere other than on the inner wall ofthe housing 220, such as on an exterior wall of an inner cylindricalwall, or on a separate toothed component or disc that is attachable tothe housing 220. In such embodiments, the housing teeth 221 would faceradially outward, axially upward, or axially downward in order to engagewith the pawls 241 of the pawl disc 240. In yet another embodiment, thepawl disc 240 may be integrally formed with the knob 202, spool 230, orwith the housing 220.

The pivoting arms 250 mechanically couple the spool 230 to the knob 202by pivoting cams 203. The pivoting cams 203 extend axially down towardsthe pivoting arms 250 from the underside of the knob 202, and engagewith the pivoting notches 253 on each of the pivoting arms 250. Thepivoting cams 203 are positioned to insert into the pivoting notch 253of the pivoting arms 250. The pivoting cams 203 transfer rotation forcesor torque from the knob 202 as the knob 202 is turned or rotated by auser to the pivoting arms 250. Importantly, the pivoting cams 203transfer the rotation forces to the pivoting arms 250 to cause thepivoting arms 250 to pivot on the axial posts 244.

The pivoting notches 253 are configured to be slightly larger than thepivoting cams 203 so that the pivoting cams 203 can rotate back andforth with the slight adjustments of the knob 202. For example, when theknob 202 is rotated in a clockwise direction (tightening direction), thepivoting cams 203 are also rotated in the same direction, engaging thepivoting notches 253 in the rotation, and pivoting the pivoting arms 250forward in the clockwise direction. Similarly, when the knob 202 isrotated in the counterclockwise direction (loosening directions), thepivoting cams 203 rotate in the same direction, engaging the pivotingnotches 253 in the rotation, and the pivoting cams 203 pivot thepivoting arms 250 backwards in the clockwise direction.

Rotation of the knob 202 is also transferred to the pawl disc 240 bydrive cams 205. The driving cams 205 operationally couple the knob 202with the pawl disc 240. The drive cams 205 extend axially down towardsthe pawl disc 240 and engage with, and are inserted into, driveapertures 247 on the circular section 243 of the pawl disc 240. Thedrive cams 205 transfer rotational forces or torque from the knob 202 tothe pawl disc 240 via the drive apertures 247 as the knob 202 is turnedor rotated by a user. Because of the engagement between the pawls 241and the housing teeth 221, specifically the substantially radial surface228, the drive cams 205 can only freely rotate the pawl disc 240 in thetightening direction. In the loosening direction, the drive cams 205merely rotate slightly counterclockwise within the drive apertures 247that are slightly oversized compared to the drive cams 205.

When the knob 202 is rotated in the tightening direction, here in aclockwise direction, the pivoting arms 250 engage with the spool 230 andcause the spool 230 to wind the tightening member. When rotated in thetightening direction, the pivoting cams 203 of the knob 202 engage thepivoting notch 253 of the pivoting arms 250, causing the pivoting arms250 to pivot forward in the tightening direction. When the pivoting arms250 are pivoted forward in the tightening direction, the primary tooth251 engages with spool teeth 231 of the spool 230, transferring therotational force or torque from the knob 202 to the spool 230.

However, when the knob 202 is rotated in the loosening direction, herethe counterclockwise direction, the primary tooth 251 disengages fromthe spool teeth 231 and the spool 230 is free to rotate. When the spool230 is free to rotate, the spool 230 rotates in the loosening directionbecause of the tension member. When the lacing system 200 is in anengaged state, the tension member maintains rotational tension on thespool 230 in the loosening direction. However, because of the spool230's engagement with the knob 202 via the pivoting cams 203 and theprimary tooth 251, when the closure system is engaged, the spool 230 isrotatably locked and unable to move in the loosening direction.

As discussed above, the pivoting arms 250 are operationally engaged withthe spool 230 in a manner that enables the pivoting arms 250 and knob202 to be supported in one of two positions: the tightening engagementposition and the loosening engagement position. In the tighteningengagement position, the knob 202, via the pivoting cams 203 andpivoting notches 253, pivot the pivoting arms 250 in the clockwisedirection (or counterclockwise in embodiments where counterclockwise isthe tightening direction), so that the primary tooth 251 and the spoolteeth 231 contact and engage one another. In the loosening engagementposition, the pivoting cams 203 of the knob 202 disengage from thepivoting notches 253, pivoting the pivoting arm 250 in thecounterclockwise direction about the pivoting aperture 255.

Without the pivoting cams 203 supplying a radial force to the primarytooth 251 and causing the primary tooth 251 to engage the spool teeth231, the spool 230 is disengaged from the pawl disc 240, and in turn thehousing teeth 221. Instead, the spool 230 is free to rotate in theloosening direction until the primary tooth 251 reengages with the spoolteeth 231. Because of the force exerted by the tension member on thespool 230, whenever the spool 230 becomes disengaged from the pawl disc240, the spool 230 freely rotates in the loosening direction. As thetension member becomes wound about the spool 230, its tension increasesand thereby imparts a rotation force to the spool 230 in the loosingdirection. The loosening force is counteracted by the interferencebetween the spool teeth 231 and the primary tooth 251, which in turncreates interference between the pawls 241 and the housing teeth 221.The combination of these interferences result in the spool 230 beingunable to rotate in the loosing direction when the pawl disc 240 isengaged with the spool 230 via the primary tooth 251. However, once thespool 230 is disengaged from the primary tooth 251, the spool 230 mayfreely rotate according to the rotation force imparted by the tensionmember.

During a turning of the knob 202 in the tightening direction (clockwisein this example), the pivoting cams 203 on the knob 202 transfer therotational force of the knob 202 to the pivoting notches 253 on each ofthe pivoting arm 250, which in turn pivots the pivoting arms 250 forwardand engage the primary tooth 251 with the spool teeth 231. Specifically,the primary tooth 251 engages with the substantially radial surface 238of the spool teeth 231. Simultaneously, as the pivoting cams 203 arerotated in the clockwise direction with the knob 202, so are the drivecams 205. As the knob 202 is rotated the drive cams 205 inserted intothe drive apertures 247 of the pawl disc 240 also rotate forward andengage the pawl disc 240, transferring the rotation force or torque ofthe knob 202 to the pawl disc 240. Once the pivoting cams 203 cause theprimary tooth 251 to engage with the spool teeth 231, any rotation ofthe knob 202 in the clockwise direction is transferred to the spool 230via the pawl disc 240's rotation, which in turn rotates the pivotingarms 250 that are operationally coupled to the pawl disc 240 via theaxial posts 244.

In order to effectuate unwinding of the spool 230, the spool 230 mustbecome free of the primary tooth 251. In the illustrated embodiment,this is accomplished by rotating the knob 202 in a counterclockwise, orloosening, direction through a predetermined angular displacement, whichin one embodiment, is one quarter turn. As the knob 202 is rotatedcounterclockwise, the pivoting cams 203 disengage the pivoting notch 253from pivoting the pivoting arms 250 in the clockwise direction, andinstead engage the pivoting notches 253 in the clockwise direction,causing the pivoting arms 250 to pivot backwards. As noted above, oncethe pivoting arms 250 are pivoted backwards, the primary tooth 251disengages from the spool teeth 231, and spool 230 is free to rotate inthe loosening direction. The tension on the spool 230 rotates the spool230 in the loosening direction while the primary tooth 251 of thepivoting arms 250 remains stationary. The pivoting arms 250 remainstationary when the spool 230 rotates in the loosening direction becausethe pivoting arms 250 are operationally coupled to the pawl disc 240,which is in turn engaged with the housing teeth 221 and unable to rotatein the counterclockwise position.

To stop the spool 230 from completely unwinding, the secondary tooth 252is forced into engagement with the spool teeth 231 when the knob isrotated in the loosening direction, and the pivoting arms 250 arepivoted backwards accordingly. A small gap in spacing between thesecondary tooth 252 and the spool teeth 231 allows the spool 230 toslightly rotate before the primary tooth 251 reengages with the nextsubsequent spool tooth 231.

As the pivoting arms 250 are pivoted backwards in the counterclockwisedirection by rotation of the knob 202, the pawl spring 256 attached tothe end of the pivoting arms 250 opposite of the secondary tooth 252contacts and radially flexes against the housing teeth 221. The forceexerted by the flexing pawl spring 256 deflects the pivoting arms 250 topivot forward, back in the clockwise direction, causing the primarytooth 251 to reengage with the spool teeth 231.

In this manner, the spool 230 can be incrementally unwound by slightcounterclockwise rotation of the knob 202. Each counterclockwiserotation of the knob 202 pivots the pivoting arms 250 backwards,releasing the spool 230 to rotate in the loosening direction. As thespool 230 rotates counterclockwise, the pawl spring 256 is forced toflex against the housing teeth 221 as the primary tooth 251 slides upthe sloped portion 237 of the spool teeth 231. The flexed pawl spring256 then deflects the pivoting arms 250 into the forward pivotingposition upon the primary tooth 251 reaching the edge of the slopedportion 237. At this point, the primary tooth 251 reengages with thespool teeth 231 and the spool 230 is inhibited from rotating further inthe clockwise direction.

During disengagement or loosening of the spool 230, the drive cams 205positioned within the drive apertures 247 are allowed to slightly rotatein the loosening direction along with the slight rotation of the knob202. The drive apertures 247 are slightly elongated to accommodate thisrotation of the drive cams 205 in the counterclockwise direction withoutbeing impeded by the pawl disc 240. Since the pawl disc 240 is inhibitedfrom rotating in the counterclockwise direction due to engagementbetween the pawls 241 and the housing teeth 221, the elongation of thedrive apertures 247 allows the drive cams 205 to rotate in thecounterclockwise direction with the knob 202 without being inhibited bythe pawl disc 240.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, illustrated is a perspective view of a reelbased closure device or system 300 (hereinafter closure system 300) inan assembled state. The closure system 300 includes a tighteningcomponent 302, such as a reel or knob (hereinafter knob 302), that isdesigned to be grasped and rotated by a user. The knob 302 is positionedwith respect to the closure system 300 so that it is easily accessibleto a user. The knob 302 is illustrated as having a circular profile orshape when viewed from a top surface, although various other knob shapesor configurations may be employed, such as hexagonal, octagonal,triangular, and the like. The knob 302 is rotatably attached to ahousing or housing component 320 (hereinafter housing 320) that is inturn attached to a housing base member or bayonet 305 (hereinafterhousing base 305). The housing 320 includes an interior region withinwhich one or more components of the closure system 300 are positioned.The housing base 305 is configured to be attached to the article (e.g.,shoe, boot, etc.) that employs the closure system 300 for adjusting thetightness or fit of the article. For example, the housing base 305includes a flange 306 that may be stitched, adhered, adhesively bonded,welded (RF, ultrasonic, etc.), or otherwise attached to the article. Insome instances, the housing base 305 or flange 306 may be insert moldedonto the article that employs the closure system 300. Details of theattachment or coupling of the knob 302, housing 320, and housing base305 are provided in greater detail below.

FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate exploded perspective views of the closuresystem 300. Additional details of the knob 302, housing 320, and thehousing base 305 are evident in the exploded perspective views of FIGS.3B-C. Additional components of the closure system 300 are alsoillustrated in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 3B-C. Theseadditional components are housed or contained within the housing 320 ofthe closure system 300 when the system is assembled and thus, theseadditional components are typically not visible in the assembled view ofthe closure system 300. The additional components include a spoolcomponent 330, a coupling component 310, and a clutch mechanism 301. Theclutch mechanism 301 includes a clutch disc 340, a knob core 350, and aface clutch 360. The clutch mechanism 301 is provided and discussed ingreater detail in FIG. 3D.

The spool component 330 (hereinafter spool 330) is rotatably positionedwithin the interior region of the housing 320 and is configured so thata tension member (not shown) is windable about the spool 330 to tensionthe tension member and tighten the article. The clutch mechanism 301 ispositioned axially above the spool 330 within the interior region of thehousing 320. The clutch mechanism 301 operably couples the spool 330with the housing 320 and the knob 302 to allow the spool 330 to rotatein a first direction while preventing rotation of the spool in thesecond direction.

The spool 330 is rotatably coupled with the housing 320 by the couplingcomponent 310. The coupling component 310 is positioned axially belowthe spool 330 and includes a central boss 312 that protrudes axiallyupward from a base 311 of the coupling component 310 into the interiorregion of the housing 320. The spool 330 is rotationally positionedabout the coupling component 310 by inserting the central boss 312through a central aperture or opening 334 of the spool 330. The spool330 is able to spin or rotate about the central boss 312 with negligiblefriction or drag. A top or distal portion of the central boss 312 isinserted through the clutch mechanism 301 and frictionally engages witha face clutch aperture or opening 364 of the face clutch 360 and a knobcore aperture or opening 354 of the knob core 350 to rotationallyposition the spool 330 about the central boss 312.

The knob core 350 operably engages with the top end of the boss 312 in amanner that enables the clutch mechanism 301 to be supported in twopositions. The coupling component 310 frictionally engages with theclutch mechanism 301—specifically the knob core 350—to maintain theclutch mechanism 301 in a first position or a second position. Theclutch mechanism 301 may move or transition to the first position inresponse to a first operation of the knob 302 and may similarly move ortransition to the second position in response to a second operation ofthe knob 302. For example, the first operation of the knob 302 may bepushing or pressing the knob 302 downwards towards the housing 320,which may cause the clutch mechanism 301 to engage with the housing 320.Alternatively, the first operation of the knob 302 may be rotating theknob 302 in a second direction, actuation a button or lever mechanism,or some other operation of the knob or another component. The secondoperation of the knob 302 may be pulling the knob 302 upward and awayfrom the housing 320, which may cause the clutch mechanism 301 todisengage the housing 320. Alternatively, the second operation of theknob 302 may be rotating the knob 302 in a first direction, actuation abutton or lever mechanism, or some other operation of the knob oranother component. The coupling component 310 may maintain the clutchmechanism 301 in the first position (i.e., in an engaged state) so thatthe clutch mechanism 301 remains engaged with the housing 320 and/or maymaintain the clutch mechanism 301 in the second position (i.e., in adisengaged state) so that the clutch mechanism 301 remains disengagedfrom the housing 320.

A plurality of coupling arms 314 are positioned radially around theannular periphery of the base 311 of the coupling component 310. Thecoupling arms 314 removably couple the coupling component 310 with thehousing 320. As illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the coupling arms 314extend axially upward from the base 311. When the closure system 300 isassembled, the coupling arms 314 are inserted through a plurality ofcoupling apertures or openings 324 on the housing 320 to removablycouple the coupling component 310 to the housing 320. As depicted inFIG. 3A, the coupling arms 314 may be inserted through couplingapertures 324 of the housing base 305 such that the base 311 functionsas a bottom end of the housing 320 and a bottom surface of the base 311is flush or aligned with a bottom surface of the housing base 305. Insome instances, the coupling arms 314 may be configured to frictionallyengage an exterior surface of the housing 320 to affix the couplingcomponent 310 to the housing 320.

FIGS. 3E and 3F illustrate the closure system 300 in the first positionand the second position, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 3E, theknob core 350 includes an engagement tab or feature 352 and the distalend of the central boss 312 includes an annular projection 313. Theengagement tab 352 and the annular projection 313 are configured tomaintain the clutch mechanism 301 in the first position in which aplurality of clutch teeth 361 on the face clutch 360 engage with aplurality of spool teeth 331 on the spool 330 and/or in which disc teeth341 of the clutch disc 340 engage with housing teeth 321 of the housing320. Engagement of said teeth operably couple the spool 330 to thehousing 320. The disc teeth 341 may be coupled with the housing teeth321 in a ratchet-like manner. The clutch disc 340 operably couples thehousing 320 with the spool 330, which allows the spool 330 to rotate ina first direction, while preventing rotation of the spool 330 in asecond direction.

In the first position, the engagement tab 352 is positioned axiallybelow the central boss's annular projection 313. The annular projection313 has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of, or defined by, theengagement tab 352. Since the diameter of the engagement tab 352 issmaller than the diameter of the annular projection 313, the annularprojection 313 interferes with, or impedes, the engagement tab 352 andknob core 350 from being moved axially upward and above the annularprojection. In this manner, the knob core 350 is maintained in adownward position relative to the annular projection 313, whichmaintains the closure system 300 in the first position illustrated inFIG. 3E.

FIG. 3F illustrates the closure system 300 in the second position. Inthe second position, the clutch mechanism 301 and/or the knob 302 arepositioned axially upward with respect to the housing 320 and the spool330. In the second position, the plurality of clutch teeth 361 aredisengaged from the plurality of spool teeth 331 and/or the disc teeth341 are disengaged from the housing teeth 321, which decouples the spool330 from the housing 320 and allows the spool 330 to freely rotate in asecond or loosening direction. In the second position, the engagementtab 352 of the knob core 350 is positioned axially above the annularprojection 313 of the coupling component 310. The smaller diameter ofthe engagement tab 352 relative to the annular projection 313 causes theannular projection 313 to interfere with, or impede, the engagement tab352 and knob core 350 from being moved axially downward and below theannular projection 313. In this manner, the knob core 350 is maintainedin an upward position relative to the annular projection 313, whichmaintains the closure system 300 in the second position illustrated inFIG. 3F.

The closure system 300 may be maintained in the second position byengagement of the engagement tab 352 and annular projection 313 until aforce is applied by a user, or otherwise, that causes the engagement tab352 and knob core 350 to move axially downwards relative the housing320. The downward movement of the knob core 350 causes the engagementtab 352 to slide over the annular projection 313, which forces distalends of the central boss 312 to flex radially inwards, thereby reducinga diameter of the annular projection 313. The reduced diameter of theannular projection allows the engagement tab 352 to slide over theannular projection 313 to the first position illustrated in FIG. 3E.Similarly, the closure system 300 may be maintained in the firstposition by engagement of the engagement tab 352 and annular projection313 until a force is applied by a user, or otherwise, that causes theengagement tab 352 and knob core 350 to move axially upwards relativethe housing 320. The upward movement of the knob core 350 causes thedistal ends of the central boss 312 to flex radially inwards, whichallows the engagement tab 352 to slide upward and over the annularprojection 313 to the second position illustrated in FIG. 3F.

To keep the knob 302 from decoupling from the housing 320, the housing320 includes an annular ledge 322 that extends around the exteriorcircumference of the top of the housing 320. The annular ledge 322 isconfigured to engage with one or more tabs 307 on the knob 302, via aninterference fit, to maintain the coupling of the knob 302 and housing320. Stated differently, the engagement of the one or more tabs 307 withthe annular ledge 322 prevents the knob 302 from being decoupled ordetached from the housing 320 unless an exceptional force is applied tothe knob 302.

Engagement between the clutch mechanism 301 and the housing 320 isconfigured to allow the spool 330 to rotate in the first direction(i.e., tightening direction) while preventing rotation of the spool 330in the second direction (e.g., a loosening direction) within the housing320. The tightening direction may be a clockwise or a counterclockwisedirection as desired while the loosening direction would be an oppositedirection. As the spool 330 is rotated in the tightening direction, alace, cord, or tension member (not shown) that is attached to the spool330 is wound around a central portion or channel 333 of the spool 330.FIGS. 3E and 3F provide a cross-sectional view of the closure system300, specifically illustrating the central channel 333 of the spool 330and the configuration of the central channel 333 in relation to an entryhole 326 for the lace, cord, or tension member (hereinafter tensionmember). When assembled, the tension member is inserted through theentry hole 326 and is configured to wind about the spool 330 within thecentral channel 333 when the spool 330 is rotated in the tighteningdirection. In some cases, the tension member is fixed, either removablyor nonremovably to the spool 330.

One-way ratcheting of the spool is provided by engagement between thedisc teeth 341 and the housing teeth 321. In the first positionillustrated in FIG. 3E, the disc teeth 341 engage with the housing teeth321 that are positioned about the circumference of the interior regionof the housing 320 to allow the clutch disc 340 to rotate in the firstdirection, while preventing rotation of the clutch disc 340 in thesecond direction. When the closure system 300 is in the second position,the disc teeth 341 disengage from the housing teeth 321, therebyallowing for the spool 330 to be rotated in the second direction.

The knob 302 is operably coupled to the spool 330 via the clutchmechanism 301 to allow for incremental tightening and incrementalloosening of the closure system 300. On a bottom surface of the knob 302are a plurality of drive components 304. The plurality of drivecomponents 304 are configured to fit within a plurality of driverecesses 353 on the knob core 350. When the closure system 300 ispositioned in the first position and the knob 302 is rotated in eitherthe first direction (i.e., tightening direction) or the second direction(i.e., loosening direction), the drive components 304 on the bottomsurface of the knob 302 engage with corresponding surfaces or edges ofthe drive recesses 353 to transfer rotational forces or torque to theknob core 350. Because of the engagement between the drive recesses 353and the drive components 304, the knob core 350 is operably coupled tothe knob 302 such that rotation of the knob 302 results in acorresponding rotation of the knob core 350. When in the first position,the knob core 350 transfers rotational forces or torque to the spool 330due to the operational coupling of the knob core 350 and the spool 330.When in the second position, the knob core 350 does not transferrotational forces or torque to the spool 330 due to the uncoupling ofthe knob core 350 and spool 330.

The knob core 350 is operably coupled with the face clutch 360 totransfer rotation or torque from the knob 302 to the spool 330. The knobcore 350 is operably coupled to the face clutch 360 by a plurality oftabs that extend radially outward from a central cylindrical hub of theknob core. Along the radial periphery of the knob core 350 are aplurality of ramp arms 355 that extend axially downwards from a topsurface 351 of the knob core 350 towards the face clutch 360. The ramparms 355 are configured to fit into a plurality of recesses 365positioned along the periphery of the face clutch 360. The recesses 365on the face clutch 360 are slightly oversized (i.e., elongated) comparedto the ramp arms 355 which allows slight rotation of the knob core 350with respect to the face clutch 360. The slight elongation of therecesses 365 allows the knob 302 to rotate the knob core 350 slightly ineither the first direction (i.e., tightening direction) or the seconddirection (i.e., the loosening direction) without transferring therotational force to the face clutch 360. A spring mechanism is typicallypositioned between the knob core 350 and the face clutch 360 when theclosure system 300 is assembled. In such embodiments, the springmechanism isolates the face clutch 360 from the knob 302 such that auser rotating the knob 302 is unable to feel any axial movement of theclutch mechanism 301 as the spool 330 is incrementally tightened orloosened.

On a bottom surface of the face clutch 360 are a plurality of clutchteeth 361 that are configured to operably couple with a plurality ofspool teeth 331 positioned on a top surface of the spool 330. Both theclutch teeth 361 and the spool teeth 331 include sloped surfaces andwall surfaces that engage with each other in a ratchet-like manner. Thesloped surfaces of the clutch teeth 361 match the sloped surfaces of thespool teeth 331 such that the teeth are able to slide over one anotherduring rotation in the second direction while preventing rotation in theopposite (i.e., first) direction. During rotation of the knob 302 in thefirst direction, the face clutch 360 is also rotated in the firstdirection due to the coupling of the knob 302, knob core 350, and faceclutch 360. Due to the orientation of the clutch teeth 361, when theface clutch 360 rotates in the first direction, the wall surfaces of theclutch teeth 361 engage with the wall surfaces on the spool teeth 331.This engagement between the clutch teeth 361 and the spool teeth 331allows the face clutch 360 to transfer the rotational force or torquefrom the knob 302 to the spool 330. Stated differently, when the closuresystem is positioned in in the first position and the knob 302 isrotated in the first direction, the spool 330 rotates in the firstdirection due to the spool 330 being engaged with the face clutch 360.

To provide for incremental rotation of the spool 330 in the firstdirection (i.e., incremental tightening of the spool 330), the faceclutch 360 is operably coupled with the clutch disc 340, which providesthe one-way ratchet mechanism between the housing 320 and the spool 330described herein. As illustrated, the clutch disc 340 is configured inan essentially radially flat annular configuration, having a radiallyinterior circumference and a radially exterior circumference. The clutchdisc 340 includes a top surface 345 and a bottom surface 346. Along theradially exterior circumference on the bottom surface 346 are aplurality of disc teeth 341. The plurality of disc teeth 341 areoriented axially downwards towards the spool 330 and housing 320 and areconfigured to engage with the housing teeth 321. Along the radiallyinterior circumference of the bottom surface 346 are a plurality ofclutch engagement members 344 and a plurality of ramp teeth 342. Alongthe radially interior circumference of the top surface 345 of the clutchdisc 340 are a plurality of cantilevered arms 343 which extend axiallyupwards towards the knob 302 from the top surface 345.

Engagement between the housing teeth 321 and the disc teeth 341 allowsfor one-way ratcheting of the spool 330. As described above, when theclosure system is in the first position and the knob 302 is rotated inthe first direction, rotation of the knob 302 is transferred by the faceclutch 360 to the spool 330. As the knob 302 rotates in the firstdirection, the spool 330 also rotates in the first direction due toengagement between the clutch teeth 361 and the spool teeth 331. Theclutch disc 340 also rotates in the first direction as the knob 302rotates due to coupling between the knob 302 and the face clutch 360,and coupling between the face clutch 360 and the clutch disc 340. Asillustrated on FIG. 3D, the clutch engagement members 344 extend axiallydownwards from the clutch disc 340 along the radially interiorcircumference of the bottom surface 346. The clutch engagement members344 are configured to operably couple and engage with a plurality ofclutch engagement recesses 362 that are formed in radial arms thatextend radially outward from a circumference of the face clutch 360. Theclutch engagement recesses are configured to fit or mate with one of theclutch engagement members 344. When the closure system 300 is assembled,the clutch engagement members 344 fit into the clutch engagementrecesses 362, which rotationally couples the clutch disc 340 to the faceclutch 360 such that the clutch disc 340 and the face clutch 360function as a unitary component.

The housing teeth 321 and the disc teeth 341 include sloped surfaces andwall surfaces. Similar to the sloped surfaces of the clutch teeth 361and the spool teeth 331, the sloped surfaces of the housing teeth 321and the disc teeth 341 allow the teeth to slide over one another duringrotation of the knob 302 in the first direction, which allows the clutchdisc 340 to rotate in the first direction relative to the housing 320.The housing teeth 321 and the disc teeth 341 prevent rotation of theclutch disc 340 in the opposite (i.e., second) direction relative to thehousing 320. The sloped surfaces of the housing teeth 321 and the discteeth 341 allow the disc teeth 341 to axially slide up, deflecting overthe housing teeth 321 as the clutch disc 340 rotates in conjunction withthe rotation of the face clutch 360. As the clutch disc 340 rotates inthe first direction along with the face clutch 360 and the knob 302, thedisc teeth 341 on the clutch disc 340 slide over the sloped surfaces ofthe housing teeth 321.

As the disc teeth 341 slide up and over the housing teeth 321, theclutch disc 340 is driven axially upwards towards the knob 302. Thecantilevered arms 343 on the clutch disc 340, positioned and oriented toextend between the clutch disc 340 and the knob 302, deflect axiallydownwards as the clutch disc 340 is driven axially upwards. Thecantilevered arms 343 provide a downward biasing force to the clutchdisc 340 as the clutch disc 340 moves axially within the housing 320. Asthe clutch disc 340 is driven upwards towards the knob 302 as the discteeth 341 slide up and over the sloped surfaces of the housing teeth321, the cantilevered arms 343 flex or compress against the bottomsurface of the knob 302, generating recoil or downward biasing force.Once the disc teeth 341 slide over the top of the housing teeth 321, therecoil or biasing force generated by the cantilevered arms 343 drivesthe clutch disc 340 downwards again, causing the disc teeth 341 toreengage with the housing teeth 321. The face clutch 360 rotates in thefirst direction with the clutch disc 340 due to the rotational couplingof the two components. The face clutch 360 drives a rotation of thespool 330 in the first direction due to the coupling of the twocomponents. In this manner, rotation of the knob 302 in the firstdirection allows for incremental rotation of the spool 330 in the firstdirection, which enables incremental tightening of a tension member thatis attached to the spool 330.

Tension on the tension member that is wound around the spool 330 exertsa rotational force or torque on the spool 330 in the second direction(i.e., the loosening direction). To prevent the spool 330 from rotatingin the second direction (i.e., the loosening direction) due to therotational force exerted by the tension member, the disc teeth 341engage with the housing teeth 321. Engagement of the wall surfaces ofthe housing teeth 321 and the disc teeth 341 prevents rotation of theclutch disc 340 in the second direction (i.e., loosening direction).Because the clutch disc 340 is rotationally coupled to the face clutch360, the engagement of the housing teeth 321 and the disc teeth 341prevent rotation of the face clutch 360 as well. The force or torqueexerted by the tension member on the spool 330 drives the spool teeth331 to engage with the clutch teeth 361, which prevents the spool 330from rotating in the loosening direction due to the rotational couplingof the spool 330, face clutch 360, clutch disc 340, and housing 320.Stated differently, because the clutch disc 340 is operably coupled withthe spool 330, any force preventing the clutch disc 340 from rotating inthe second direction, likewise prevents the spool 330 from rotating inthe second direction. In this manner, the spool 330 is prevented fromrotating in the second direction (i.e., the loosening direction), whenthe disc teeth 341 engage with the housing teeth 321.

To enable incremental loosening of the tension member, the closuresystem 300 is configured to allow incremental rotation of the spool 330in the second direction (i.e., the loosening direction). As noted above,a counter force or torque is exerted on the spool 330 due to tensionimparted by the tension member. To allow the spool 330 to rotate in thesecond direction, the disc teeth 341 may be temporarily disengaged fromthe housing teeth 321. To disengage the disc teeth 341, the clutch disc340 includes a plurality of ramp teeth 342 that are positioned along theradially interior circumference of the bottom surface 346 of the clutchdisc 340. The ramp teeth 342 engage with corresponding recesses 356formed on the ramp arms 355 of the knob core 350. The recesses 356 eachinclude a sloped surface 357 that mirrors a sloped surface of the rampteeth 342, which enables the ramp teeth 342 to slide up the slopedsurface 357 as the knob core 350 is rotated in the second directionrelative to the clutch disc 340. Movement of the ramp teeth 342 up thesloped surface 357 causes the disc teeth 341 to disengage from thehousing teeth 321. As the knob 302 is rotated in the second direction(i.e., the loosening direction), the knob core 350 also rotates in thesecond direction due to the rotational coupling of the knob 302 and knobcore 350. Because the clutch disc 340 and the face clutch 360 areengaged with the housing teeth 321 and rotationally locked to thehousing 320, the clutch disc 340 and the face clutch 360 remainstationary as the knob 302 and the knob core 350 begin to rotate in thesecond direction. The elongation of the recesses 365 on the face clutch360 allow the knob core 350 to rotate relative to the face clutch 360and clutch disc 340 without rotating either component.

Rotation of the knob 302 in the second direction, causes the knob core350 to rotate along with the knob 302 within the recesses 365 of theface clutch 360. Rotation of the knob core 350 relative to the clutchdisc 340 causes the sloped surface 357 to contact and engage the rampteeth 342 on the clutch disc 340. Further rotation of the knob 302 inthe second direction causes the ramp teeth 342 to slid up the slopedsurface 357, which causes the clutch disc 340 to move axially upwardsand away from the knob core 350. When the clutch disc 340 is drivenaxially upwards, the disc teeth 341 on the clutch disc 340 move axiallyaway from the housing teeth 321, thereby disengaging the clutch disc 340from the housing 320. Once the disc teeth 341 become disengaged from thehousing teeth 321, the clutch disc 340 and the face clutch 360 are ableto rotate along with the knob 302 and the knob core 350 in the seconddirection. Rotation of the clutch disc 340 and the face clutch 360 inthe second direction is typically caused by the torque or force that isexerted on the spool 330 by the tension member. Specifically, one thedisc teeth 341 disengage from the housing teeth 321, the spool 330 is nolonger rotationally locked to the housing 320 and thus, the spool 330 isable to spin in the second direction due to the torque or force exertedon the spool 330 by the tension member.

To prevent complete loosening of the spool 330 and to provideincremental loosening of the spool 330, the cantilevered arms 343positioned on the clutch disc 340 bias the clutch disc 340 downwards andtowards the knob core 350. As the spool 330 rotates in the seconddirection due to the torque or force exerted on the spool 330 by thetension member, the rotation of the spool 330 causes the knob core 350and clutch disc 340 to rotate in the second direction. Rotation of theclutch disc 340 in the second direction causes the ramp teeth 342 torotate out of engagement with the sloped surface 357, which allows theclutch disc 340 to move axially downward relative to the knob core 350and housing 320. The cantilevered arms 343 force or bias the clutch disc340 to move downward relative to the knob core 350 and housing 320,which reengages the disc teeth 341 and the housing teeth 321, therebyrotationally locking the spool 330 to the housing 320, which arrestsfurther rotation of the spool 330 in the second direction. The clutchmechanism 301 is typically configured so that the disengagement andreengagement of the disc teeth 341 and the housing teeth 321 occurs on atooth by tooth basis. As such, the degree of loosening can be adjustedby adjusting the number of disc teeth 341 and housing teeth 321.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to add a resistance member 367to the face clutch 360 to provide a desired level of resistance duringincremental loosening of the closure system 300. The level of resistancemay be selected to eliminate or minimize accidental incrementalloosening of the spool 330. For example, without the use of a resistancemember 367, the knob 302 may be able to brush against an object as auser passes by the object, which may cause the knob 302 to rotate in thesecond direction (i.e., loosening direction) and incrementally loosenthe spool 330. The resistance member 367 may minimize such accidentallyloosening by resisting rotation of the knob 302 in the second direction.To resist rotation of the knob 302 in the second direction, theresistance member 367 may be positioned within the recesses 365 of theface clutch 360 so that the resistance member 367 extends radially at anangle from the face clutch 360 into the recess 365. The resistancemember 367 may engage a radially angled surface on the underside of theramp arms 355 of the knob core 350 as the face clutch 360 is rotated inthe second direction (i.e., loosening direction) relative to the knobcore 350. As the face clutch 360 rotates in the second directionrelative to the knob core 350, the resistance member 367 may be flexedor deflected radially inward by the radially angled surface of the ramparms 355. The inward flexing or deflection of the resistance member 367provides a slight biasing forces that is counter to rotation of the faceclutch 360 in the second direction. As such, the resistance member 367provides a resistive force that resists rotation of the face clutch 360in the second direction relative to the knob core 350 and in turnresists rotation of the knob 302 in the second direction. This resistiveforce minimizes or prevents accidental loosening of the closure system300. The resistive force may be selected or set so that accidentalloosening is prevented while user initiated loosening is notsubstantially impacted.

To prevent the spool 330 from unwinding past the end of the tensionmember, and thereby causing the tension member to wind around thecentral channel 333 in a wrong direction, the coupling component 310includes a plurality of teeth 315 that are arranged circumferentiallyaround the central boss 312. The plurality of teeth 315 are configuredto engage with a plurality of bottom teeth 332 that are positioned on abottom surface of the spool 330. The plurality of teeth 315 function ina similar manner to the spool engagement feature 138 described herein sothat when the tension member is ejected from the central channel 333,the spool 330 moves axially downward within the housing 320 and thebottom teeth 332 engage the plurality of teeth 315 of the couplingcomponent. Engagement of the two sets of teeth prevents the spool 330from rotating in the second direction, thereby preventing unwinding ofthe spool 330 past the end of the tension member.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B which illustrate exploded perspectiveviews of a reel based closure device or system 400 (hereinafter closuresystem 400). The closure system 400 includes a tightening component 402,such as a reel or knob (hereinafter knob 402), that is designed to begrasped and rotated by a user. The knob 402 is positioned with respectto the closure system 400 so that it is easily accessible to a user. Theknob 402 is illustrated as having a circular profile or shape whenviewed from a top surface, although various other knob shapes orconfigurations may be employed, such as hexagonal, octagonal,triangular, and the like. The knob 402 is attached to a housing orhousing component 420 (hereinafter housing 420) that is in turnremovably attached to a housing base member or bayonet 410 (hereinafterhousing base 410). The housing base 410 is configured to be attached tothe article (e.g., shoe, boot, etc.) that employs the closure system 400for adjusting the tightness or fit of the article. For example, thehousing base 410 may include a flange (not shown) that may be stitched,adhered, adhesively bonded, welded (RF, ultrasonic, etc.), or otherwiseattached to the article. In some instances, the housing base 410 or theflange may be insert molded onto the article that employs the closuresystem 400.

The housing 420 includes an interior region within which one or morecomponents of the closure system 400 are positioned when the closuresystem 400 is assembled. The one or more components of the closuresystem 400 are illustrated in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 4Aand 4B. These components are housed or contained within the housing 420of the closure system 400 when the system is assembled. Thus, when theclosure system 400 is assembled, the one or more components aretypically not visible. These components include a spool component 430(hereinafter spool 430), a spring component 440, and a clutch disc 450.

The spool 430 is rotatably positioned within the interior region of thehousing 420 and is configured so that a tension member (not shown) iswindable about the spool 430 in order to tension the tension member andtighten the article. The spool 430 is positioned axially above thehousing base 410 such that the spool 430 is able to spin or rotate withnegligible friction or drag within the interior region of the housing420. The spool 430 is operably coupled with the knob 402. A plurality ofdrive cams 404 positioned on a bottom surface of the knob 402 andaxially oriented towards the spool 430, operably couple and engage witha plurality of drive recesses 434 on the spool 430. The plurality ofdrive recesses 434 are positioned on a top surface of the spool 430 andoriented axially towards the knob 402. The drive cams 404 are configuredto fit into and engage with the drive recesses 434 such to transferrotational force or torque from the knob 402 to the spool 430 so thatthe knob 402 drives, or otherwise rotates the spool 430 as the knob 402rotates when the drive cams 404 engage with the drive recesses 434. Thedrive recesses 434 are elongated to allow movement of the drive cams 404within the drive recesses 434 without engaging the spool 430. Forexample, the drive cams 404 may be able to partially rotate along withthe knob 402 without engaging with the drive recesses 434 to rotate thespool 430.

The spool 430 is also operably coupled with the clutch disc 450. Theclutch disc 450 is positioned axially above the spool 430 and betweenthe knob 402 and the spring component 440. The clutch disc 450 comprisesa plurality of radially oriented splines 452 (hereinafter splines 452)configured to engage with a plurality of spool splines 431 (hereinafterspool splines 431) positioned radially about the peripheralcircumference of the drive recesses 434 on the top surface of the spool430. The splines 452 on the clutch disc 450 are configured to interlockwith the spool splines 431 on the spool 430 such that the spool 430 andthe clutch disc 450 function as a unitary component. The spool splines431 engage with the splines 452 such that the spool 430 drives, or inother words causes rotation of the clutch disc 450 when the spool 430rotates. Unlike the coupling between the spool 430 and the knob 402, thesplines 452 and the spool splines 431 engage such that any rotation ofthe spool 430 transfers to and rotates the clutch disc 450, and viceversa. In other words, neither the clutch disc 450 nor the spool 430include elongated recesses for the splines 452 and spool splines 431,respectively, to allow for rotation of either component withouttransferring the rotational force or torque to the other component. Asnoted above, the knob 402 is operably coupled with the spool 430 such todrive the spool 430 along with rotation of the knob 402 when the drivecams 404 on the knob 402 engage with the drive recesses 434 on the spool430. Thus, because of the coupling between the clutch disc 450 and thespool 430, rotation of the knob 402 also rotates the clutch disc 450 viathe spool 430 when the knob 402 engages with the spool 430.

The clutch disc 450 is operably coupled with the housing 420 in aratchet-like manner such to allow rotation of the spool 430 in atightening direction while preventing rotation of the spool 430 in theloosening direction. A plurality of clutch teeth 451 positioned aboutthe axial periphery of the clutch disc 450 on a top surface and orientedtowards the knob 402 are configured to engage with a plurality ofhousing teeth 421 positioned on the housing 420. The plurality ofhousing teeth 421 are circumferentially positioned within the interiorregion of the housing 420 and are radially downward facing such toengage with the clutch teeth 451 of the clutch disc 450. The clutchteeth 451 and the housing teeth 421 function as a ratchet mechanism thatprovides for one-way rotation of the spool 430 within the interiorregion of the housing 420. To provide the one-way ratchet mechanism, theclutch teeth 451 are configured to deflect radially downward relative tothe knob 402 as the clutch teeth 451 rotate in a tightening direction,which for the present discussion is the clockwise direction, relative tothe housing teeth 421. In other cases, the tightening direction may becounterclockwise. The clutch teeth 451 are biased axially upwards suchto form a sloped surface and a wall surface between each tooth, formingcomplementary teeth to the housing teeth 421. Thus, as the clutch disc450 is rotated along with the spool 430 because of rotation of the knob402 in the tightening direction, the clutch teeth 451 slide up thecomplementing sloped surface of the housing teeth 421, being pusheddownwards by the sloped nature of both the housing teeth 421 and theclutch teeth 451. When the peak of the sloped surface of the clutchteeth 451 reaches the peak of the sloped surface of the housing teeth421, the clutch disc is pushed back up by the spring component 440causing the clutch teeth 451 to reengage with the housing teeth 421. Asthe clutch disc 450 and the clutch teeth 451 are rotated relative to thehousing teeth 421, an audible “click” sound may be produced by theclutch teeth 451 deflection over the housing teeth 421 and “snapping”into reengagement with the housing teeth 421 as the knob 402 isincrementally rotated in the tightening direction.

As noted above, the engagement of the clutch teeth 451 with the housingteeth 421 provides for one-way ratcheting of the spool 430 such that theclosure system 400 can be incrementally tightened. The one-wayratcheting of the spool 430 in the tightening direction allows forincremental rotation of the spool 430 to tighten the tension memberabout the spool 430, while preventing rotation of the spool 430 in theloosening direction (i.e., direction opposite of the tighteningdirection). When the clutch teeth 451 are engaged with the housing teeth421, the clutch disc 450 is prevented from rotating in the looseningdirection (i.e., counterclockwise direction). Because the housing 420 isstationary with respect to the knob 402, the spool 430, and the clutchdisc 450, when a force in the loosening direction (i.e.,counterclockwise direction) is applied to the clutch teeth 451, thehousing teeth 421 engage with the clutch teeth 451 preventing rotationof the clutch disc 450 in the loosening direction. The tension memberexerts a tension force on the spool 430 in the loosening direction,thereby exerting the tension force on the clutch disc 450 in theloosening direction. Thus, under stationary conditions when the knob 402is not undergoing an operation, such as rotation, the clutch disc 450 isengaged with the housing 420 to prevent rotation of the spool 430 in theloosening direction.

To disengage the clutch teeth 451 from the housing teeth 421 to allowthe spool 430 to rotate in the loosening direction and to loosen(unwind) the tension member, the knob 402 includes a plurality of ramps403 (hereinafter ramps 403). The ramps 403 are positioned on a bottomsurface of the knob 402 and oriented axially towards the clutch disc450. The ramps 403 operably engage with a plurality of clutch ramps 453(hereinafter clutch ramps 453) positioned on a top surface of the clutchdisc 450 when the knob 402 is rotated in the loosening direction. Theclutch ramps 453 extend axially upwards from the surface of the clutchdisc 450 towards the knob 402. The clutch ramps 453 are biased axiallyupwards such to create ramped surfaces that complement the ramps 403 ofthe knob 402. To decouple the spool 430 from the housing 420 to allowthe spool 430 to rotate in the loosening direction, when the knob 402 isrotated in the loosening direction, the ramps 403 on the knob 402 drivethe clutch disc 450 downwards with respect to the knob 402. As the knob402 rotates, the ramps 403 slide up the ramped surfaces of the clutchramps 453, pushing the clutch ramps 453 downwards and away from the knob402. As the clutch disc 450 is driven downwards and away from the knob402 by the ramps 403 sliding over the clutch ramps 453, the clutch teeth451 disengage from the housing teeth 421, allowing the clutch disc 450to rotate. Because the clutch disc 450 is operably coupled with thespool 430, once the clutch disc 450 is able to rotate in the looseningdirection, the tension force exerted on the spool 430 causes the spool430 to rotate in the loosening direction.

As noted above, the drive recesses 434 are elongated to allow movementof the drive cams 404 within the drive recesses 434 without engaging thespool 430. The elongation of the drive recesses allow the knob 402 torotate in the loosening direction without engaging the clutch disc 450.This allows the knob 402 to be rotated in the loosening directionwithout being prevented by a clutch disc 450. Since the clutch teeth 451engage with the housing teeth 421 whenever a force is applied to thespool 430 and thereby the clutch disc 450 in the loosening direction,without elongation of the drive recesses 434, the knob 402 would beprevented from rotating in the loosening direction by the clutch disc450.

To prevent the closure system 400 from fully loosening and to allow forincremental loosening of the closure system 400, the spring component440 is positioned axially between the clutch disc 450 and the spool 430.The spring component 440 deflects axially upwards and downwards toprovide an axially upward force on the clutch disc 450. The springcomponent 440 holds or otherwise maintains the clutch disc 450 in anaxially raised position within the housing 420. In the axially raisedposition, the clutch teeth 451 are engaged with the housing teeth 421,thereby preventing rotation of the spool 430 in the loosening direction.When the knob 402 is rotated in the loosening direction, the ramps 403on the knob 402 drive the clutch disc 450 to push against the springcomponent 440, compressing the spring component 440. Once the ramps 403pass over the clutch ramps 453, the generated recoil force caused bycompressing the spring component 440 drives the clutch disc 450 axiallyupwards again towards the knob 402, reengaging the clutch teeth 451 withthe housing teeth 421. In this manner, the spool 430 is incrementallyallowed to rotate in the loosening direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, illustrated are exploded perspectiveviews of the lacing system 500. Lacing system 500 includes a knob 502,that is designed to be grasped and rotated by a user. Knob 502 ispositioned with respect to lacing system 500, as well as a particulararticle to which lacing system 500 is attached, so that it is easilyaccessible to a user of the particular article. Knob 502 is illustratedas having a cylindrical profile or shape when viewed from its topsurface, although various other shapes or configurations may beemployed, such as hexagonal, octagonal, triangular, and the like.Additionally, knob 502 may include surface features such as knurling orraised features which make knob 502 easier to grasp and apply torque to(turn/rotate).

A button 504 is disposed within a cavity 506 in knob 502. While rotatingknob 502 in the clockwise direction a lace (not shown) attached to spool508 at connection point 510 wraps around spool 508, thereby tighteningthe lace about the particular article to which lacing system 500 isattached. The workings of lacing system 500, as will be described below,prevents spool 508 from rotating counterclockwise, and therebyloosening, unless button 504 is depressed. Thus, tightening the lace byrotating knob 502 in a clockwise direction acts in a “ratcheting”manner, preventing any unintentional loosening of the lace. However,once button 504 is depressed, the lace may be pulled from lacing system500, unwinding spool 508, and thereby loosening the lace about theparticular article to which lacing system 500 is attached.

To further describe the operation of lacing system 500, knob 502includes lower knob teeth 512 and upper knob teeth 514. Lower knob teeth512 are positioned on an annular partition and are oriented axiallydownward. Upper knob teeth 514 are also positioned on the annularpartition but extend axially upward. Upper knob teeth 514 may have asloped profile as shown.

Lacing system 500 further includes a housing 516. Housing 516 includesan interior region within which one or more components of lacing system500 are positioned. Housing 516 is configured to be attached to a basecomponent 518 such that housing 516 does not rotate relative to basecomponent 518. This may be accomplished by interlocking tabs 520 on basecomponent 518 and cavities 522 on housing 516. Base component 518 isconfigured to be attached to the particular article by any means knownin the art, thereby coupling lacing system 500 to the particulararticle. A first ridge 524 about the perimeter of housing 516 isconfigured to rotatably couple with a second ridge 526 inside theperimeter of knob 502 so that knob 502 may be rotated about housing 516,but so knob 502 cannot easily be removed vertically away from housing516.

The interior region of housing 516 includes housing teeth 528 thatextend axially upward from an annular partition. Housing teeth 528 maybe formed during a molding process, or may be subsequently cut intohousing 516 after molding. A coupling ring 530 is housed within theinterior region of housing 516. Coupling ring 530 includes couplingteeth 532 that extend axially downward from an outer circumferentialsurface of the coupling ring 530. Housing teeth 528 are configured toengage with coupling teeth 532 to allow for a one-way rotation of spool508 as described below.

Specifically, housing teeth 528 and coupling teeth 532 are sloped ortapered in an opposite orientation relative to each other as shown. Theopposite orientation of housing teeth 528 and coupling teeth 532 allowscoupling ring 530 to rotate in a clockwise direction relative to housing516, while not allowing coupling ring 530 to rotate in acounter-clockwise direction relative to housing 516 (i.e., attemptedcounter-clockwise rotation will “lock” coupling teeth 532 againsthousing teeth 528).

The number and spacing of housing teeth 528 control the incrementalamount or degree of tightening that is achievable with lacing system500. The specific number and spacing of the teeth can be designed tosuit an intended use or purpose of the lacing system. In variousembodiments, housing teeth 528 and coupling teeth 532 may includebetween 20 and 40 teeth each.

Knob 502 also includes spline receivers 534 that engage with splineteeth 536 of coupling ring 530 such that coupling ring 530 is rotatablylocked or keyed to knob 502. Thus, a rotation of knob 502 in eitherdirection will at least attempt to cause a corresponding rotation ofcoupling ring 530 within the interior region of housing 516. Due to theratchet like engagement of housing teeth 528 with coupling teeth 532 asdscussed above, coupling ring 530 allows for knob 502 to rotateclockwise (the lace tightening direction), while preventing the knob 502from rotating in the loosening direction (the lace loosening direction).

Coupling ring 530 further includes an annular channel 538 that is formedon an upper surface of coupling ring 530. Annular channel 538 houses acompression spring (not shown) that contacts annular channel 538 and aninner surface of knob 502, such that the spring is compressed betweenknob 502 and coupling ring 530. This spring biases knob 502 and couplingring 530 axially apart. In this manner, a downward force is imparted oncoupling ring 530, which biases coupling teeth 532 into engagement withthe housing teeth 528.

Spool 508 is rotatably positioned within the interior region of housing516 so that spool 508 is able to rotate therein. Spool 508 includesspool teeth 540 that extend axially downward from an annular rim that ispositioned within a central aperture of spool 508.

Lacing system 500 further includes a lower clutch component 542, anupper clutch component 544, a rotation limiter 546, and button 504.Lower clutch component 542 and upper clutch component 544 are containedwithin housing 516 when lacing system 500 is assembled.

Upper clutch component 544 includes upper clutch teeth 548 that extendaxially upward from a radially extending lip of upper clutch component544. Upper clutch component 544 also includes a keyed channel 550 thatextends axially through upper clutch component 544. Keyed channel 550 isillustrated as having a cross-shape when viewed from a bottom surface ofupper clutch component 544, although any other various shapes orconfigurations may be employed.

Lower clutch component 542 includes lower clutch teeth 552 raised from atop surface of the lower clutch component 542 as well as brake teeth 554raised from a bottom surface of lower clutch component 542. Lower clutchcomponent 542 is configured with a key 556 which extends from a topsurface of lower clutch component 542. Key 556 is illustrated as havinga cross-shape when viewed from a top surface of lower clutch component542, although any other various shapes or configurations may be employedsuch that they match keyed channel 550 in upper clutch component 544.

Rotation limiter 546 is configured with an inner cavity 558 whichextends through a horizontal section of rotation limiter 546. Rotationlimiter 546 is also configured with rotation limiter teeth 560 extendingaway from a bottom of rotation limiter 546. Rotation limiter 546 alsoincludes a shaft 562 extending away from a bottom center of rotationlimiter 546. A compression spring (not shown), is disposed betweenrotation limiter 546 and knob 502, thereby biasing rotation limiter 546,and all components axially bound to rotation limiter 546, upward. Thisresults in button 504 being biased upward. When rotation limiter 546 isbiased upward, rotation limiter teeth 560 do not interface with upperknob teeth 514.

Button 504 includes an axle 564 which extends from a bottom surface ofbutton 504. In some embodiments, axle 564 is circular in shape whenviewed from the bottom surface, and is located at the center of ahorizontally planar section of button 504. Button 504 is designed to bepressed by a user as described above. Button 504 is axially fixed torotation limiter 546 and therefore depressing button 504 results inmovement of the rotation limiter 546.

Axle 564 of button 504 extends through inner cavity 558 of rotationlimiter 546. In some embodiments, a top surface of rotation limiter 546contacts a bottom surface of button 504. In some embodiments, button 504and rotation limiter 546 may rotate relative to each other. Button 504and rotation limiter 546 are axially fixed, i.e., they are at a fixeddistance along the axis of the axle 564 but may be free to rotate withrespect to one another. Button 504 is positioned at the center of knob502 so that button 504 is easily accessible to a user. In someembodiments, a top surface of knob 502 is flush with a top surface ofbutton 504, when button 504 is not being depressed.

Rotation limiter 546 is housed in cavity 506 of knob 502. The slopeorientation of rotation limiter teeth 560 and upper knob teeth 514 arethe same as each other. In this way, when upper knob teeth 514 areengaged with rotation limiter teeth 560, the sloped portion of therotation limiter teeth 560 allows rotation limiter 546 to slide up upperknob teeth 514 when rotation limiter 546 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction relative to knob 502. In this way, when arotational force or torque acts on rotation limiter 546 in thecounterclockwise/loosening direction relative to knob 502, theengagement of upper knob teeth 514 with rotation limiter teeth 560creates an upward force on rotation limiter 546. When button 504 is notpressed, rotation limiter teeth 560 of rotation limiter 546 are aboveupper knob teeth 514 such that rotation limiter teeth 560 cannot engagewith upper knob teeth 514 of knob 502.

Upper clutch component 544 is configured with a key receiver 566. Keyreceiver 566 is shaped to a key 568 on a bottom surface of shaft 562 ofrotation limiter 546 such that upper clutch component 544 and rotationlimiter 546 do not rotate relative to one another. Key receiver 566 isalso shaped to receive axle 564 of button 504 such that upper clutchcomponent 544 and button 504 are axially coupled. In some embodiments,upper clutch component 544 rotates relative to button 504.

During operations of lacing system 500 when button 504 is not depressed,upper clutch teeth 548 engage with lower knob teeth 512 of knob 502.When upper clutch teeth 548 are engaged with lower knob teeth 512, upperclutch component 544 is inhibited from rotating in the looseningdirection relative to knob 502. Likewise, upper clutch component 544 isalso inhibited from rotating in the loosening direction relative tohousing 516 because knob 502 is thus inhibited by coupling ring 530 asdescribed above. Meanwhile, when button 504 is not depressed, lowerclutch teeth 552 are engaged with spool teeth 540, where thereby,clockwise rotation of knob 502 causes rotation of upper clutch component544 and lower clutch component 542, and consequently spool 508, therebytightening a lace around spool 508.

Keyed channel 550 of upper clutch component 544 is shaped to correspondto key 556 of lower clutch component 542 such that key 556 extendsthrough a central opening in a horizontally planar circular section ofspool 508 and is keyed into keyed channel 550. In this way, lower clutchcomponent 542 does not rotate relative to upper clutch component 544 butis free to move axially with respect to upper clutch component 544. Key556 and keyed channel 550 are configured to allow axial movement ofupper clutch component 544 relative to lower clutch component 542. Whenkey 556 is fully inserted into keyed channel 550, a top surface of lowerclutch component 542 engages with a bottom surface of upper clutchcomponent 544. During such engagement, lower clutch component 542transfers upward axial force to upper clutch component 544, and upperclutch component 544 transfers downward axial force to lower clutchcomponent 542.

During some operations of lacing system 500, lower clutch teeth 552engage with spool teeth 540 of spool 508. When lower clutch teeth 552are engaged with spool teeth 540, spool 508 is inhibited from rotatingin the loosening direction relative to lower clutch component 542.Likewise, spool 508 is also inhibited from rotating in the looseningdirection relative to upper clutch component 544 because lower clutchcomponent 542 is keyed to rotate with upper clutch component 544.

During some operations of lacing system 500, lower clutch teeth 552engage with spool teeth 540 of spool 508 while upper clutch teeth 548engage with lower knob teeth 512 of knob 502. In this way, spool 508 isinhibited from rotating in the loosening direction relative to knob 502because spool 508 is inhibited from rotating in the loosening directionrelative to lower clutch component 542 which is keyed to rotate withupper clutch component 544 which is inhibited from rotating in theloosening direction relative to knob 502. When spool 508 is thusinhibited from rotating in the loosening direction relative to knob 502,an operation of knob 502 in the tightening direction will cause spool508 to rotate in the tightening direction. When spool 508 is rotated inthe tightening direction, a lace is wound about spool 508 which createstension in the lace and tightens the article.

Tension in the lace creates rotational force or torque on spool 508 inthe loosening direction. When spool teeth 540 are engaged with lowerclutch teeth 552, rotational force or torque on spool 508 in theloosening direction causes rotational force or torque on lower clutchcomponent 542 in the loosening direction. Key 556 housed within keyedchannel 550 of upper clutch component 544 causes rotational force ortorque on upper clutch component 544 when there is rotational force ortorque on lower clutch component 542. When upper clutch teeth 548 areengaged with lower knob teeth 512, rotational force or torque on upperclutch component 544 in the loosening direction causes rotational forceor torque on knob 502 in the loosening direction. When upper clutchteeth 548 are not engaged with lower knob teeth 512, key receiver 566which is keyed to rotate with rotation limiter 546, causes rotationalforce or torque on rotation limiter 546 when there is rotational forceor torque on upper clutch component 544.

Turning knob 502 in the tightening position results in increasingtension in the lacing system. Turning knob 502 causes the upper clutchcomponent 544 to rotate due to the engagement of the lower knob teeth512 and the upper clutch teeth 548. The upper clutch component 544causes the lower clutch component 542 to rotate at the same time due tothe interaction of the key receiver 566 and the key 556 which preventaxial rotation of the lower clutch component 542 relative to the upperclutch component 544 when engaged. As the lower clutch component 542 isrotated, the lower clutch teeth 552 engage with the spool teeth 540 torotate the spool 508. To maintain the torque or rotational force andthereby hold the load within the lacing system 500, the spline receivers534 of the knob and the spline teeth 536 cause the coupling ring 530 torotate as the knob 502 is turned. As the coupling ring 530 turns, thecoupling teeth 532 slip past the housing teeth 528. The coupling teeth532 slip past the housing teeth 528 due to the direction of the slopedsurface of the housing teeth 528 and the coupling teeth 532. In thetightening direction, the angled surfaces of the housing teeth 528 andthe coupling teeth 532 slide against each other and increase a distancebetween the coupling ring 530 and the housing 516 until the housingteeth 528 and the coupling teeth 532 slip past one another. The verticalsurfaces of the housing teeth 528 and the coupling teeth 532 abut oneanother in a load bearing arrangement when the lacing system 500 isunder force. The compression spring (not shown) between the couplingring and the knob 502 applies pressure to the coupling ring 530 in adirection away from the knob 502 and towards the housing 516, to ensurethe coupling teeth 532 and the housing teeth 528 are engaged.

Lacing system 500 includes an incremental loosening arrangement and acontinuous loosening arrangement. In the incremental looseningarrangement, button 504 is pressed a first distance downward toward knob502. Because rotation limiter 546 is axially coupled to button 504, theaxial movement of button 504 results in axial movement of rotationlimiter 546 downward into knob 502. The downward axial movement ofrotation limiter 546 causes the upper clutch component 544 to moveaxially as well. The downward axial movement of the upper clutchcomponent 544 causes the lower knob teeth 512 to disengage from theupper clutch teeth 548. When the upper clutch teeth 548 and the lowerknob teeth 512 are disengaged, the upper clutch component 544, rotationlimiter 546, lower clutch component 542, and spool 508 rotate together,due to the torque in the lacing system 500, until the rotation limiterteeth 560 contact the upper knob teeth 514. The sloped shape of therotation limiter teeth 560 and the contact with the upper knob teeth 514under tension, due to the tension in the lacing system 500, cause therotation limiter 546 to move axially in the opposite direction of theinitial depression of the button 504, i.e., axially upwards. Therotation limiter 546 moves axially upwards and causes the upper clutchcomponent 544, to which it is coupled, to contact and engage with theknob 502 via the upper clutch teeth 548 and the lower knob teeth 512.When upper clutch component 544 is moved only a partial distance in theaxially downward direction, a bottom surface of upper clutch component544 does not contact an upper surface of lower clutch component 542.Thus, the downward force on upper clutch component 544 is nottransferred from upper clutch component 544 to lower clutch component542. Thus, lower clutch component 542 is not moved in an axialdirection, and lower clutch teeth 552 remain engaged with spool teeth540.

With further reference to the incremental loosening arrangement, whenupper clutch component 544 is moved a partial axial distance away fromknob 502 and toward spool 508, upper clutch teeth 548 disengage fromlower knob teeth 512. Thus, upper clutch component 544 is not inhibitedfrom rotating in the loosening direction relative to knob 502. Therotational force or torque created by the lace and transferred to upperclutch component 544, as discussed above, causes upper clutch component544 to rotate in the loosening direction relative to knob 502. Rotationof upper clutch component 544 causes rotation of rotation limiter 546 inthe same direction because rotation limiter 546 is keyed to rotate withupper clutch component 544. Upon rotation of rotation limiter 546 in theloosening direction relative to knob 502, rotation limiter teeth 560engage with upper knob teeth 514. The matching slope orientations ofrotation limiter teeth 560 and upper knob teeth 514 create an upwardforce on rotation limiter 546 as the rotational force or torque fromupper clutch component 544 acts on rotation limiter 546 and causesrotation limiter teeth 560 to rotate in the loosening direction relativeto upper knob teeth 514. Thus, rotation limiter 546 is moved a partialaxial distance upward away from knob 502. Because button 504 is axiallycoupled to rotation limiter 546, button 504 moves a partial axialdistance upward away from knob 502. Because upper clutch component 544is axially coupled to rotation limiter 546, upper clutch component 544moves a partial axial distance upward toward knob 502 and away fromspool 508. When upper clutch component 544 moves a partial axialdistance upward toward knob 502, upper clutch teeth 548 engage withlower knob teeth 512 which inhibits upper clutch component 544 fromrotating in the loosening direction relative to knob 502. Rotationlimiter 546, lower clutch component 542, and spool 508 are likewiseinhibited from rotating in the loosening direction relative to knob 502.

In the continuous loosening arrangement, button 504 may be pressed afull distance into knob 502, i.e., as far as possible. Because rotationlimiter 546 is axially coupled to button 504, the full axial movement ofbutton 504 results in full axial movement of rotation limiter 546downward toward knob 502. The full axial downward movement of rotationlimiter 546 allows for rotation limiter teeth 560 to engage with upperknob teeth 514. The rotation limiter teeth 560 with their hooked endsengage with the upper knob teeth and are hooked together. The button 504is reengaged or moved back to the load bearing position when the knob502 is rotated after being in the continuous loosening arrangement dueto the compression spring between the base component 518 and the lowerclutch component 542. Because upper clutch component 544 is axiallycoupled to rotation limiter 546, the full axial movement of rotationlimiter 546 results in full axial movement of upper clutch component 544downward away from knob 502 and toward spool 508. When upper clutchcomponent 544 moves a full axial distance away from knob 502, upperclutch teeth 548 disengage from lower knob teeth 512 which allows upperclutch component 544 to rotate in the loosening direction relative toknob 502.

With further reference to the continuous loosening arrangement, whenupper clutch component 544 is moved a full axial distance away from knob502, a bottom surface of upper clutch component 544 contacts an uppersurface of lower clutch component 542. Thus, the downward force of upperclutch component 544 is transferred from upper clutch component 544 tolower clutch component 542 and lower clutch component 542 is movedaxially downward away from spool 508. Thus, lower clutch teeth 552disengage from spool teeth 540 which allows spool 508 to rotate relativeto lower clutch component 542, and relative to all members of lacingsystem 500. In this way, rotational force or torque created by the lacecauses spool 508 to rotate in the loosening direction relative to allmembers of lacing system 500.

With further reference to the continuous loosening arrangement, whenlower clutch component 542 is moved axially downward, as discussedabove, brake teeth 554 engage with base teeth 570 through thecompression spring to prevent rotational movement between the basecomponent 518 and the lower clutch component 542. Thus, lower clutchcomponent 542 is inhibited from rotating. Thus, upper clutch component544 is inhibited from rotating because upper clutch component 544 iskeyed to rotate with lower clutch component 542 and rotation limiter 546is inhibited from rotating because rotation limiter 546 is keyed torotate with upper clutch component 544.

With further reference to the continuous loosening arrangement, whenrotation limiter 546 moves a full axial distance toward knob 502, alower portion of rotation limiter teeth 560 engage with an interiorsurface of knob 502. This engagement inhibits rotation limiter 546 frommoving axially upward, away from knob 502. Upper clutch component 544 isalso inhibited from moving axially upward, toward knob 502 and away fromspool 508 because upper clutch component 544 is axially coupled torotation limiter 546. Lower clutch component 542 is also inhibited frommoving axially upward, toward spool 508 because a lower surface of upperclutch component 544 contacts an upper surface of lower clutch component542 when upper clutch component 544 has moved a full axial distancedownward. Thus, lower clutch teeth 552 are inhibited from engaging withspool teeth 540. Lacing system 500 will remain in this state untiloperated upon by a user as discussed below. Thus, spool 508 is allowedto rotate relative to lower clutch component 542 and relative to allmembers of lacing system 500 until lacing system 500 is operated upon bya user.

Referring now FIGS. 6A-C, illustrated is a guide 600 that may beattached to an article to guide a lace or tension member (hereinaftertension member) about a path along the article. The guide 600 is formedfrom a flexible piece of webbing and includes a first end region 604, asecond end region 606, and a center region 602 that is located betweenthe first and second end regions 604, 606. The guide 600 is typicallymade of a flexible material such as woven webbing made of polyester,nylon, or any other suitable material or blend of materials. The guide600 is designed to reduce friction between the tension member (notshown) and an inner surface of the guide 600 as the tension memberslides or moves along the inner surface of the guide 600. The reducedfriction is achieved by positioning a low friction material on a portionof the inner surface of the guide 600.

As tension is applied to the tension member, the first end region 604and the second end region 606 may flex or curve slightly to create aslight curved lace pathway for the tension member. The center region 602can assist in keeping the first end region 604 and the second end region606 separated and can prevent the guide 600 from bunching together underload from the tension member. The center region 602 may prevent bunchingwithout the use of a rigid material which may be undesirable in certainapplications.

The guide 600 can be formed from one or more woven materials and can beattached to a shoe or other article (not shown) by stitching, anadhesive, rivets, mechanical fasteners, or in any other suitable manner.As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the guide 600 can be a strip of wovenmaterial that is folded to create a loop 620. Opposing ends 624 of thestrip of woven material can be stitched together and the loop 620 can beattached to the shoe or other article. For example, the loop 620 can bestitched to a shoe, thereby securing the loop 620 to the shoe with theloop 620 facing inward generally toward a center of the shoe. An upperend of the loop 620 includes openings 622 through which the tensionmember is inserted to couple the tension member with the guide 600.

In some embodiments, the guide 600 can have a width of between 10 mm and45 mm, although widths outside this range can also be used. The firstend region 604 may have a width W₂ and the second end region 606 mayhave a width W₃. The first and second end regions 604, 606 can have thesame width W₂, W₃, or different widths as desired. The widths W₂, W₃ ofthe first and/or second end regions 604, 606 can be between about 1 mmand 15 mm, and more commonly between about 2 mm and 10 mm or betweenabout 3 mm and 7 mm. The center region 602 can have a width W₁ ofbetween 15 mm and 43 mm, and more commonly between about 15 mm and 40 mmor between about 20 mm and 35 mm. The guide 600 can have a thickness T₁of between about 0.5 mm and 2 mm, and more commonly between about 0.5 mmand 1.0 mm, although other thicknesses may be employed depending on thestrength and durability required for the guide 600. In some embodiments,the center region 602 can be thicker than the first and/or second endregions 604, 606.

As briefly described above, the guide 600 is designed to provide a lowfriction and durable sliding surface for the tension member to moveacross during tensioning. To provide the low friction surface, the firstend region 604 and the second end region include a low friction material612 (see FIG. 6B), which is illustrated by the end regions having adarkened appearance in FIG. 6A. The center region 602 does not includethe low friction material 612, resulting in the center region 602 havinga lighter appearance in FIG. 6A. Various low friction materials may beemployed in the first and second end regions 604, 606 to provide the lowfriction surface 612. The first and second end regions 604, 606 mayemploy the same low friction material, different low friction materials,or a combination of low friction material as desired. In a specificembodiment, the low friction material 612 that is used in the firstand/or second end regions 604, 606 may be a polytetrafluoroethylenematerial, such as the material sold under the tradename Teflon.

The center region 602 does not include a low friction material 612because the center region 602 does not experience the same degree offrictional engagement with the tension member as the first and secondend regions 604, 606. For example, because the tension member engagesthe first and second end regions 604, 606 upon entry and exit of theguide 600, the first and second end regions 604, 606 are the primaryportions of the guide 600 that are responsible for altering a path ofthe tension member. As such, a majority of the force that is exerted onthe tension member from the guide 600 is concentrated at or near thefirst and second end regions 604, 606. Therefore, a majority of thefriction or drag that the tension member experiences is due tofrictional engagement with the first and second end regions 604, 606.Positioning the low friction material 612 primarily or solely on thefirst and second end regions 604, 606 greatly reduces friction betweenthe tension member and guide 600. While some additional reduction infriction may be achieved by positioning the low friction material 612 onthe center region 602 of the guide 600, the friction reduction isminimal and often does not justify the expense or manufacturing burdenthat is involved in producing such a configuration, especially when thelow friction material is substantially more expensive than that materialthat is used elsewhere on the guide 600. The low friction material 612of the guide 600 greatly reduces wear on both the tension member and theguide 600. Preferably, the center region 602 has sufficient strength soas to resist bending of buckling of the guide 600, thus maintaining adegree of separation between first and second end regions 604, 606.

The low friction material 612 is typically positioned on the first andsecond end regions 604, 606 so that it extends along an entirelongitudinal length of the guide 600 and along an entire width W₂, W₃ ofthe first and second end regions 604, 606. In some embodiments, however,the low friction material 612 may only extend along a portion of thelongitudinal length of the guide 600 and/or along a portion of the widthW₂, W₃ of the first and second end regions 604, 606. In addition, asillustrated in FIG. 6B, the low friction material 612 may be positionedonly on a single side or surface of a guide body 610. Specifically, thelow friction material 612 may be positioned only on an inner surface ofthe guide body 610 and not on an exterior side or surface of the guidebody 610. As such, the guide 600 may be composed of, or consist of,multiple material sections or segments.

The guide body 610 may be composed of a first material that may beformed of one or more woven materials as previously described. In aspecific embodiment, the guide body 610 may be composed of, or consistof, a nylon material. The low friction material 612 is coupled with theguide body 610 so that is positioned on the first and/or second endregions 604, 606 and faces an interior side or surface of the guide body610. As such, the center region 602 of the guide body 610 has athickness that is greater than a thickness of the guide body 610 at thefirst and/or second end regions 604, 606 and the material of the guidebody 610 covers the low friction material 612 and encloses or encasesthe low friction material 612 within the interior of the loop 620 formedin the guide 600. Since the guide body 610 covers the low frictionmaterial 612, the material of the guide body 610 extends from the firstend region 604 to the second end region 606 on the exterior surface ofthe guide 600. In contrast, the material of the guide body 610 onlyextends only the center region 602 on the inner surface of the guide600. Covering the low friction material 612 with the material of theguide body 610 may make the guide 600 appear more uniform, may reducemanufacturing costs, may reinforce the low friction material 612, andthe like.

The thickness T₁ of guide 600 may remain essentially uniform across thewidth of the guide 600, or may vary between the first and second endregions 604, 606 as desired. The low friction material 612 may have athickness T₂ of between 10% and 80% of the thickness T₁ of guide 600,and more commonly a thickness T₂ of between 15% and 60%, or between 20%and 40%, of the thickness T₁ of guide 600. The low friction material 612may be coupled with the guide body 610 in various ways. For example, thelow friction material 612 may be woven into the guide body 610 duringformation of the guide 600. In other embodiments, the low frictionmaterial 612 may be formed separately from the guide body 610 and may beadhered into recesses that are formed in the first and second endregions 604, 606 of the guide body 610. Various other means or couplingor attaching the low friction material 612 to the guide body 610 mayalso be employed. While FIG. 6B illustrates the low friction material612 as only being positioned on the inner side or surface of the guidebody 610, in some embodiments, the low friction material 612 may bepositioned on both the inner side or surface of the guide body 610 andon the exterior side or surface of the guide body 610. The low frictionmaterial 612 on the inner and exterior surfaces may be separated by astrip or material of the guide body 610 or may be a uniform strip orsegment of material that forms the first and/or second end regions 604,606 of the guide 600. The low friction material 612 may have similarmaterial properties as the material that is used for the guide body 610,or may have different material properties, such as increased stiffnessor increased flexibility, as desired.

While several embodiments and arrangements of various components aredescribed herein, it should be understood that the various componentsand/or combination of components described in the various embodimentsmay be modified, rearranged, changed, adjusted, and the like. Forexample, the arrangement of components in any of the describedembodiments may be adjusted or rearranged and/or the various describedcomponents may be employed in any of the embodiments in which they arenot currently described or employed. As such, it should be realized thatthe various embodiments are not limited to the specific arrangementand/or component structures described herein.

In addition, it is to be understood that any workable combination of thefeatures and elements disclosed herein is also considered to bedisclosed. Additionally, any time a feature is not discussed with regardin an embodiment in this disclosure, a person of skill in the art ishereby put on notice that some embodiments of the invention mayimplicitly and specifically exclude such features, thereby providingsupport for negative claim limitations.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elementshave not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Accordingly, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed.The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently beincluded or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neitheror both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassedwithin the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in thestated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are alsoincluded.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes aplurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includesreference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to thoseskilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and“includes” when used in this specification and in the following claimsare intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers,components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, orgroups.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reel based closure device for tightening anarticle comprising: a housing having an interior region; a spoolpositioned within the interior region of the housing, the spool beingrotatable in a first direction within the interior region to wind atension member about the spool and being rotatable in a second directionwithin the interior region to unwind the tension member from about thespool; a knob that is operably coupled with the spool and with thehousing, the knob being rotatable in a tightening direction to cause thespool to rotate in the first direction and thereby wind the tensionmember about the spool and the knob being rotatable in a looseningdirection to cause the spool to rotate in the second direction andthereby unwind the tension member from about the spool; and a rotationcontrol component that is operably coupled with the knob and that isconfigured to prevent accidental loosening of the tension member byinhibiting rotation of the knob in the loosening direction until asufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the looseningdirection.
 2. The reel based closure device of claim 1, wherein therotation control component is configured so that the knob engages therotation control component only when the knob is rotated in theloosening direction.
 3. The reel based closure device of claim 1,wherein the rotation control component is a bias spring that engageswith the knob when the knob is rotated in the loosening direction. 4.The reel based closure device of claim 3, wherein the bias spring is anarm that engages with an axially extending protrusion of the knob, andwherein the axially extending protrusion deflects the arm radially whenthe sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob in the looseningdirection.
 5. The reel based closure device of claim 4, wherein a distalend of the arm engages with the axially extending protrusion of theknob, and wherein a proximal end of the arm is attached to a knob corethat is coupled with a pawl disc that includes one or more pawls thatengage with teeth of the reel base closure device, wherein engagement ofthe one or more pawls with the teeth lock the pawl disc and knob core inrotational position relative to the knob and also lock the spool inrotational position relative to the housing.
 6. The reel based closuredevice of claim 5, wherein a first portion of the axially extendingprotrusion of the knob is configured to contact the one or more pawls ofthe pawl disc and disengage the one or more pawls from the teeth of thereel based closure device in order to allow the spool to be rotated inthe second direction, and wherein the first portion of the axiallyextending protrusion is unable to contact the one or more pawls untilthe arm is deflected radially by a second portion of the axiallyextending protrusion.
 7. The reel based closure device of claim 6,wherein the first portion of the axially extending protrusion includes asloped or tapered surface that engages with the one or more pawls, andwherein the second portion of the axially extending protrusion alsoincludes a sloped or tapered surface that engages with the arm, whereinthe sloped or tapered surface of the first portion has a different slopeor taper angle than the sloped or tapered surface of the second portion.8. The reel based closure device of claim 1, further comprising: atension member guide including: a first material; and a second materialhaving a lateral width that is less than a lateral width of the firstmaterial; wherein the second material is formed of a lower frictionmaterial than the first material and the second material is coupled withthe first material so that the second material is positioned on an innersurface of a loop or channel formed in the tension member guide so as tobe in direct contact with the tension member.
 9. A reel based closuredevice comprising: a housing having an interior region; a spoolpositioned within the interior region of the housing, the spool beingrotatable in a first direction to wind a tension member about the spooland being rotatable in a second direction to unwind the tension memberfrom about the spool; a knob that is operably coupled with the spool sothat the knob is rotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spoolto rotate in the first direction and so that the knob is rotatable in aloosening direction to cause the spool to rotate in the seconddirection; and a rotation control component that is operably coupledwith the knob to impede rotation of the knob in the loosening directionuntil a sufficient rotational force is exerted on the knob.
 10. The reelbased closure device of claim 9, wherein the rotation control componentis configured so that the knob engages the rotation control componentonly when the knob is rotated in the loosening direction.
 11. The reelbased closure device of claim 9, wherein the rotation control componentis a bias spring that engages with the knob when the knob is rotated inthe loosening direction.
 12. The reel based closure device of claim 11,wherein the bias spring is an arm that engages with an axially extendingprotrusion of the knob, and wherein the axially extending protrusiondeflects the arm radially as the knob is rotated in the looseningdirection.
 13. The reel based closure device of claim 12, wherein adistal end of the arm engages with the axially extending protrusion ofthe knob, and wherein a proximal end of the arm is attached to a knobcore that is coupled with a pawl disc that includes one or more pawlsthat engage with housing teeth, wherein engagement of the one or morepawls with the housing teeth lock the pawl disc and knob core inrotational position relative to the knob and also lock the spool inrotational position relative to the housing.
 14. The reel based closuredevice of claim 13, wherein a first portion of the axially extendingprotrusion of the knob is configured to contact the one or more pawls ofthe pawl disc and disengage the one or more pawls from the housingteeth, and wherein a second portion of the axially extending protrusionof the knob is configured to contact and radially deflect the arm. 15.The reel based closure device of claim 14, wherein the first portion ofthe axially extending protrusion includes a sloped or tapered surfacethat engages with the one or more pawls, and wherein the second portionof the axially extending protrusion also includes a sloped or taperedsurface that engages with the arm, wherein the first portion has adifferent slope or taper angle than the second portion.
 16. The reelbased closure device of claim 9, further comprising: a tension memberguide including: a first material; and a second material having alateral width that is less than a lateral width of the first material;wherein the second material is formed of a lower friction material thanthe first material and the second material is coupled with the firstmaterial so that the second material is positioned on an inner surfaceof a loop or channel formed in the tension member guide so as to be indirect contact with the tension member.
 17. A method of coupling a reelbased closure device with an article, the method comprising: providingthe reel based closure device, wherein the reel based closure deviceincludes: a housing having an interior region; a spool that ispositioned within the interior region of the housing; a knob that isoperably coupled with the spool and with the housing so that the knob isrotatable in a tightening direction to cause the spool to rotate in afirst direction and thereby wind a tension member about the spool and sothat the knob is rotatable in a loosening direction to cause the spoolto rotate in a second direction and thereby unwind the tension memberfrom about the spool; and a rotation control component that is operablycoupled with the knob and that is configured to prevent accidentalloosening of the tension member by inhibiting rotation of the knob inthe loosening direction until a sufficient rotational force is exertedon the knob in the loosening direction; and coupling the reel basedclosure device with the article.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein therotation control component is configured so that the knob engages therotation control component only when the knob is rotated in theloosening direction.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the rotationcontrol component is a bias spring that engages with the knob when theknob is rotated in the loosening direction.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the bias spring is an arm that engages with an axially extendingprotrusion of the knob, and wherein the axially extending protrusiondeflects the arm radially when the sufficient rotational force isexerted on the knob in the loosening direction.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein a distal end of the arm engages with the axially extendingprotrusion of the knob, and wherein a proximal end of the arm isattached to a pawl disc that includes one or more pawls that engage withteeth of the reel base closure device, wherein engagement of the one ormore pawls and the teeth lock the pawl disc in rotational positionrelative to the knob and also lock the spool in rotational positionrelative to the housing.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein a firstportion of the axially extending protrusion of the knob is configured tocontact the one or more pawls of the pawl disc and disengage the one ormore pawls from the teeth of the reel based closure device in order toallow the spool to be rotated in the second direction, and wherein thefirst portion of the axially extending protrusion is unable to contactthe one or more pawls until the arm is deflected radially by a secondportion of the axially extending protrusion.
 23. The method of claim 17,wherein the article includes: a tension member guide that includes: afirst material; and a second material having a lateral width that isless than a lateral width of the first material; wherein the secondmaterial is formed of a lower friction material than the first materialand the second material is coupled with the first material so that thesecond material is positioned on an inner surface of a loop or channelformed in the tension member guide so as to be in direct contact withthe tension member.